A bar and music venue is set to reopen in Kendal, creating around 30 new jobs.

Bootleggers will host a variety of local, UK and international touring bands, as well as serve food and drink.

The venue has been expanded and will now include a 150-seat café and restaurant serving Mediterranean-themed tapas small plates.

Westmorland Group, which also runs Kendal pubs Ye Olde Fleece Inn, The Gateway Inn, and The Duke of Cumberland, is operating the venue.

The group has leased the premises from owners Charles Scott and Patrick Brennand.

Westmorland Group director, Josh Macaulay, said: "Bootleggers is a great asset for Kendal which has been seriously missed since it closed in 2020.

"It is important that we keep the same vibe and culture because Bootleggers was a fantastic place that holds an important place in many people's memories and we want to ensure we carry that legacy forward in everything we do."

The original Bootleggers had a snug area, bar, stage, and first-floor balcony, all of which remain after a £700,000 renovation project.

The team has also acquired 13 Market Place, next to the Skipton Building Society, which backs on to the old Bootleggers.

Mr Macaulay said: “We have knocked the wall down so it is now all one building.

"That means there is a proper street-facing entrance to Bootleggers in Market Place in the centre of town.

"We have sandblasted the walls, renewed the woodwork and installed new electrics and plumbing.

"The stage has been upgraded so it is a bit higher, which will improve the views for everyone and give a more theatrical feel.

"We have installed £150,000 worth of high-tech sound and lighting equipment which puts us on the same level as major UK music venues.

"We have also added a new green room for bands."

The new bar and restaurant will serve a variety of local ales and craft beers, and the restaurant can be hired for private functions.

Mr Macaulay said: “We have knocked into 13 Market Place to create a new bar and café and restaurant dining area.

"This will serve tapas small plate food with Spanish, Italian and French influences to bring the best of Mediterranean cuisine to Kendal.

“We already have some great restaurants in the town, from amazing Italian food at Sapore, fantastic Mexican food at Pedro’s Casa and excellent Thai food at Bangkok 7.

"We believe the cuisine at Bootleggers will complement the lively evening food offering already in town.”

The head chef at Bootleggers is Richard Hall, who has worked as an international chef on cruise liners and high-end chalets in the Alps.

Bootleggers will open seven days a week, with live music on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons, and occasional weekday shows.

Mr Macaulay said: "I remember going to Bootleggers in the past and it was fantastic.

"It had an amazing atmosphere and the thing that was always special was everyone felt welcome.

"It had a mixture of young people in their 20s and retired people in their 60s and everything in between and everyone felt comfortable.

"I think live music brings together a wide spectrum of people with a shared common passion and we aim to replicate that atmosphere going forward.

"We also want to pay tribute to the late Jonty Martindale who helped set up Bootleggers in 1998 and ran the venue for many years.

"We want to honour his legacy and carry it forward to the next generation."

Bootleggers has a pre-opening night on September 27 with Abba tribute band Voulez Vous, while pop and rock band OTT will perform at the official opening night on September 28.

Tickets for the opening weekend music shows can be booked on the Bootleggers website.

Mr Macaulay said: “I hope the community gets behind Bootleggers and supports it because hospitality has had real challenges over recent years with things like high energy bills and we really want this to be a great asset for the town.”