PLANS have been submitted to bring ‘back to life’ a music venue lost in the pandemic.

Mr Scott has submitted a planning application to Westmorland and Furness Council for a part retrospective first floor rear extension to 13 Market Place in Kendal to allow the reconfiguration of music venue Bootleggers.

It is is hoped it could reopen partly by the summer and fully in time for two major festivals coming to Kendal in October.

The property consists of the three-storey frontage building and the stage, the area in front, and toilets of what was ‘Bootleggers Bar’ & live music venue.

Planning documents state: “It is desired to bring the whole property back to life with unified occupation as a bar/café/bistro/live music venue/night club to serve the local community.

“The property is uniquely placed to support Kendal Business Improvement District’s Market Place activities.

The intent of the interested parties involved is for the venue to reopen its frontage in early July 2024 with the whole building operational for Kendal’s Music & Mountain Festivals in October 2024.”

According to plans, 13 Market Place does not include the bar, lobby and first floor of Bootleggers Bar which are in different ownership and occupation.

The lease that once bound the Bootleggers Bar into a singular occupation has lapsed and this element of the property lies in a ‘state of abandonment’, said the plans.

The frontage to Market Place has been unoccupied for around a decade.

Bootleggers Bar closed in the pandemic.

A heritage statement adds: “Investment in the development proposal will remove a long-term unoccupied frontage and make a positive contribution to the enhancement, preservation, and conservation & by attracting investment in & vibrant occupation of premises.”

The planning application is undergoing public consultation.