Kendal pub to gain new lease of life under new ownership

The New Inn, previously a Punch Taverns pub, is a long standing fixture on Highgate, the main thoroughfare through Kendal. The pub, which has been vacant in recent years, has an open plan lounge bar accommodating up to 60 covers in a traditional setting. Historically operated as a wet-led pub, the New Inn is equipped with a trade kitchen giving the new proprietor plenty of scope to introduce a food offering. The property also includes first floor owner’s accommodation, in the form of a four bedroom flat, alongside four letting bedrooms.

The town, which is known locally as ‘The Gateway to the Lakes,’ benefits from a high degree of tourist trade from walkers, mountain bikers, and others wishing to visit the nearby Lake District National Park. The town itself is steeped in history, having once been home to Catherine Parr, the sixth and final wife of King Henry VIII.

The new publican, Andrew Gardner, who owns and operates The Station Hotel in the Cumbrian coastal town of Millom, comments, “I am looking forward to reopening the New Inn as a live music venue, and wish to thank Keith Stringer from Christie & Co for his support in my purchase of the property, and for ensuring a smooth process.”

Keith Stringer, Director at Christie & Co who handled the sale, comments, “We wish Andrew every success with his new business. It will be great to see this former fixture on Kendal’s high street return to active use. The New Inn has all the building blocks for a successful pub: a great location, and potential for diversified revenue from both food & beverage trade and the letting accommodation. As major pub companies revaluate their estates, it’s great to see that there’s still demand from independent operators who wish to keep their local pubs alive.”

The New Inn was sold through Christie & Co on a freehold basis off an asking price of £225,000.