Plans Put Forward to Sell Kendal’s County Hall

Plans are being considered to sell Kendal’s County Hall, a historic public building that has been unused since 2024. The property is owned by Westmorland and Furness Council, which is now reviewing its future due to high maintenance and upgrade costs.

According to council reports, the building would require around £7 million in investment to bring it up to modern standards. As a result, officials have recommended permanently closing the site and declaring it surplus to operational needs.

County Hall, originally built in the late 1930s, previously served as a base for local government services, including customer services, registration offices, and public meetings. These services have already been relocated to alternative sites and could be given permanent new homes if the sale goes ahead.

Council cabinet members are expected to discuss the proposal, which includes selling not only the main building but also surrounding land such as nearby car parks and associated properties. However, some adjacent parking areas would remain under council ownership.

One option under consideration is a community asset transfer, which could allow the building to be handed over to a local organisation at a reduced cost or even free of charge. Alternatively, it may be sold at full market value.

If approved, remaining services and facilities linked to the building, including archives already relocated, would be fully reassigned by later this year, marking the end of the building’s long-standing role in local governance.

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