AN INTERNATIONALLY recognised Lake District hotel, a top Champagne label and local wine and spirit merchant have raised a glass to the future of Kendal College by announcing a series of sponsorship deals, writes Beth Broomby.

The college is undergoing a £150,000 facelift which is focusing on improving catering and health and beauty facilities.

During the coming months the college can expect to see a new, specially equipped bar and training cellar courtesy of Ings-based company Lakeland Vintners, a member of the J.W.

Lees group.

The Sharrow Bay Country House Hotel, at Ullswater, has also thrown its weight behind the college revamp by offering its support along with work placements for top students.

Proprietor Brian Sack told the Gazette: "We are giving all our support to Kendal College.

We have a long history of using many of Graham Wilkinson's students over the years and we have a great desire to give the college our backing.

"It may take some time but we are sure he is going to create something very special.

I hope it will turn out to be a success story just like Sharrow Bay."

Sharrow Bay's James Payne, Ruinart sommelier of the year, has also promised a series of lectures at the college once the planned wine academy is up and running.

Tony Jackson of Lakeland Vintners, which supplies fine wines and spirits to the hotel and catering industry, said: "We want to do what we can to support the people who will in turn support our industry.

We need to encourage young people into the hotel and catering trade to safeguard its future."

Ruinart Champagne, which has offered the college an undisclosed sum in a sponsorship deal, will be backing an annual champagne dinner at the college along with an annual student award for excellence in wine service.

The three-party sponsorship deal is the latest in a series of developments to be unveiled by Kendal College's new principal Graham Wilkinson including upgrades to both the college's faade, and the catering and health and beauty departments.

The £150,000 revamp is part of the college's bid to become a Centre of Vocational Excellence for hospitality and catering, accountancy and popular music.

Mr Wilkinson said he was " absolutely delighted" to receive the backing of the two locally-based companies and Ruinart Champagne, describing the developments as "just the beginning" for the college.