Music venue to reopen after 4-year closure
Known for for hosting a variety of UK bands, the site has been expanded and will showcase both an 150 seat café alongside a refurbished restaurant set to include both tapas and small plates with drink offerings ranging from local ales to craft beers.
All original features preserved throughout the property, have been refurbished as part of a £700,000 investment utilising local trades people in order to fully revamp the site.
Westmorland Group director Josh Macaulay said: “Bootleggers is a great asset for Kendal which has been seriously missed since it’s closure in 2020.”
Macaulay stated: “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.”
Move with the times
Highlighting the impact that communities can have on newer emerging venues, he stated: “I hope the community gets behind Bootleggers and supports it”
Also describing the challenges the hospitality industry has undergone in recent years, he attributes them to high energy bills.
Speaking on the ongoing plans for Bootleggers, and the future of night time venues going forward, director at Westmorland group Chris Moss said: “Pubs and these sort of evening music venues, we've got to move with the times.”
Describing the trade as “a very old industry.” He continued: “It's been here for hundreds of years and it will continue to be here for hundreds of years.” He stated: “We've got to understand that people drink less, people want better food, people want to live healthier lifestyles. But that doesn't mean to say you can't go out and socialise and enjoy live music.”
Speaking on the need for both industry progression and the importance of moving forward with trade, Moss stated: “There are lots of pubs out there that aren't really sort of, progressing, that's where the industry potentially is having problems.” He continued: “So, of course, people are always going to want to get out and listen to live music, because it's absolutely vital for mental health."
Speaking on bolstering the night-time economy and the importance of also maintaining high day time engagement throughout the sector, he stated: “Well, it's interesting. There are lots of smaller places that have failed. We spent a lot of time on Bootleggers because the problem is music venues alone are not going to work.”
Really exciting
He continued: “You need to have the café culture, the daytime economy. You need to be able to serve food. You've got to be able to diversify, to make it work, which is what we're looking at and it's really exciting. We are seeing a place that is going to be really special within Kendall and indeed the South Lakes.”
According to Macaulay, the stage, a key feature in the entertainment aspect of the property, has been “completely upgraded”, with an installation of £150,000 of sound and lighting equipment to accompany a new green room for bands.
Other features include the VIP area, which showcases a balcony and allows private groups to also view the stage. The restaurant at the site is also available to be hired for functions.
Bootleggers has a pre-opening night on Friday, September 27 with Abba tribute band Voulez Vous, while pop and rock band OTT will also perform at the official opening night on Saturday 28 September.
The venue is set to be open seven days a week, from 11am until 11pm from Sunday to Thursday and from 11am to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. There will also be live music on both Friday and Saturday nights and on Sunday afternoons.
