Westmorland and Furness Council is set to undertake some improvements at Westmorland Shopping Centre car park in Kendal, with work planned to start this September to create wider parking bays that better accommodate modern vehicles.
The relining project will see parking bay widths increased from the current 2.4 metres to 2.6 metres, with some bays located between structural pillars widened to more than 3 metres where space allows. The changes respond directly to customer feedback that existing spaces are too narrow for many of today’s vehicles.
While the improvements will result in a reduction in the total number of spaces, the revised layout will provide a more practical and user-friendly experience for motorists.
To minimise disruption, the programme will be carried out on a floor-by-floor basis, with temporary closures in place only on those levels where work is taking place.
This project forms part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to maintaining and investing in its assets. It follows the successful upgrade of lighting throughout the car park, where energy-efficient LED lighting was installed to improve visibility, customer safety and the overall visitor experience.
A wider review of parking provision across Kendal is also planned this year. A parking study will be commissioned from August 2026 to analyse current usage patterns and future demand for parking across the town. The study is expected to be completed by the end of March 2027 and will help inform future parking strategies and investment decisions.
To help mitigate the reduction in parking capacity at Westmorland Shopping Centre car park, the Council is also looking at its own car parking arrangements and usage to help free up more visitor and resident parking in the town centre.
Councillor Andrew Jarvis, Cabinet Member for Finance and Deputy Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, said:
"Westmorland Shopping Centre car park is an important facility for Kendal town centre, but it is also an aging building that was designed for a very different era of motoring.
"We regularly receive feedback from customers that the current parking bays are too narrow for many modern vehicles. By increasing the width of spaces, we are responding to those concerns and making the car park easier and less stressful to use.
"While the changes will mean fewer spaces overall, they will provide a better experience for motorists and make more effective use of the building's constraints.
"This investment demonstrates our commitment to maintaining our assets and ensuring they continue to serve residents, businesses and visitors for years to come.
"The wider review of parking provision in Kendal will ensure that future parking arrangements meet the needs of the town and support its continued success."
Further details on the relining programme, temporary floor closures and any impacts on customers will be communicated before work begins in September.