Lakes and Kendal businesses that opened in 2023

Companies that started trading this year include Grove Barn in Ambleside and Toast in Windermere. Costa Coffee in Kendal and Starbucks in Ulverston opened new drive-through units. 

Eat Indian opened a deli in the centre of Kendal. In terms of national supermarket chains, the first Food Warehouse by Iceland in Cumbria opened at South Lakeland Retail Park, and Lidl opened a store at Beezon Road. 

A new venue called Glisky started operating in a unit at the Dockray Hall industrial estate under Fell Brewery. 

Here are some other new businesses that we spoke to. 

Force Cafe

This Ambleside cafe opened in June in the former premises of the historic Kelsick Grammar School. 

Cafe manager Gavin Dale said: "I think it's been great for us. The build-up to Christmas and New Year was our strongest time ever. We've really worked to integrate ourselves with the community." 

The staff at Force Cafe when it opened (Image: Force Café)

Gavin said that the cafe has done this by hosting events for groups such as Ambleside Running Club. 

"We've got a seasonal menu, there's a new menu coming just before Easter," Gavin said. "We try to cater for everybody, on the weekend and bank holidays we are busy and non-stop. On a weekday when we're a bit quieter we can engage with the locals."

The terrace at Force Cafe, which is at the former Kelsick Grammar School (Image: Submitted)

Cortillo Lounge

"The first few months were great," said staff member Aaron, who did not want to give his surname. Cortillo Lounge opened on February 15 and is part of the national Loungers PLC chain. Aaron said that the eatery offered something 'unique' to Kendal as it could transform from a breakfast cafe to a restaurant to a cocktail bar over the day.

In terms of plans for next year, Aaron said simply: "Continue having a great year. We are offering a new menu. We rival most places in Kendal." 

Cortillo Lounge on opening day with general manager Daniel Andrews (Image: Newsquest)

Northern Wine/Ramble

Since Northern Wine started in the summer, Michelin-star establishments in the area such as L'Enclume and The Old Stamp House have stocked their bottles. In December Harry Appleyard and his partner Stacey Lee Raath opened a restaurant called Ramble by Northern Wine on Stramongate. 

"It's definitely been a busy year," Harry said. "A really successful one."

Harry testing wine that has been barrelled (Image: Submitted)

Stacey said that the Michelin star establishments that picked up on their wines: "Really care about story and provenance. Because we're local and we have a good story, and hopefully because we make a nice wine!" The couple said that people from L'Enclume tried their wine before it was officially released and gave feedback. 

The couple said that there 'wasn't a huge wine scene in Kendal' before they moved in, but they received a positive reception from locals. 

Stacey cutting vines (Image: Submitted)

For this year, the couple want to use Ramble to host events and they will keep changing the menu according to the season. They also may expand out of Kendal to places such as Manchester.