IT IS business as usual at Kendal's K Village according to management at the retail outlet after it was announced that the centre has been bought for an undisclosed sum.

The new owner is a newly-formed company called Kendal Riverside Ltd. It has bought the popular complex from MEPC.

Centre manager Mandy Dixon, who is continuing in her role, said that Kendal Riverside Ltd was owned by the developers of a large shopping outlet in Antrim, Northern Ireland, called Junction One.

"As far as the general public is concerned it makes no difference," said Mrs Dixon, who said that K Village had been bought without being on the market.

"Now people have invested in buying us I think that's good news for K Village in the short term and the long term."

Almost exactly 12 months ago plans to demolish K Village and rebuild it on a bigger scale on the same site were blocked by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. South Lakeland District Council planners had been in favour of the scheme but residents and other traders had said it was too big.

Mrs Dixon said she could not say anything about any future possible developments at the site.