An iconic bar and music venue is set to reopen in Kendal, breathing new life into the town and creating approximately 30 new jobs.
Bootleggers, renowned for hosting an array of local, UK, and international touring bands, will now also feature a 150-seat café and restaurant specialising in tapas small plate food with a Mediterranean theme. The extensive renovation project, valued at £700,000, was undertaken by Westmorland Group and utilised local tradespeople to enhance its presence in the town, adding to their portfolio that includes the Ye Olde Fleece Inn, The Gateway Inn, and The Duke of Cumberland.
Westmorland Group is leasing the premises from Charles Scott and Patrick Brennand. According to Josh Macaulay, Westmorland Group director, the preservation of the venue’s original vibe and culture is paramount. Bootleggers, which closed in 2020, holds significant sentimental value to the community, and maintaining its legacy is crucial. ‘Bootleggers is a great asset for Kendal which has been seriously missed since it closed in 2020,’ said Macaulay. ‘It is important that we keep the same vibe and culture because Bootleggers was a fantastic place that holds an important place in many people’s memories and we want to ensure we carry that legacy forward in everything we do.’
The building that housed Bootleggers is still intact, but Westmorland Group has acquired an adjacent property at 13 Market Place and integrated it with the original site, enhancing accessibility. ‘We have knocked the wall down so it is now all one building. That means there is a proper street-facing entrance to Bootleggers in Market Place in the centre of town,’ Macaulay explained.
A tribute to Bootleggers’ founder, Jonty Martindale, is evident in the venue’s revival. Macaulay reminisced about the past atmosphere of Bootleggers, highlighting its welcoming nature and diverse clientele. ‘I remember going to Bootleggers in the past and it was fantastic. It had an amazing atmosphere and the thing that was always special was everyone felt welcome. It had a mixture of young people in their 20s and retired people in their 60s and everything in between and everyone felt comfortable.’
The emphasis on live music remains, with a vision to replicate the inclusive and vibrant atmosphere that formerly characterised Bootleggers. ‘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,’ said Macaulay. He expressed hope that the community would support Bootleggers amid the challenges faced by the hospitality sector, including high energy bills. ‘I hope the community gets behind Bootleggers and supports it because hospitality has had real challenges over recent years with things like high energy bills and we really want this to be a great asset for the town.’
Honouring Jonty Martindale’s legacy is a key motivation behind the project. ‘We also want to pay tribute to the late Jonty Martindale who helped set up Bootleggers in 1998 and ran the venue for many years. We want to honour his legacy and carry it forward to the next generation,’ Macaulay added.
The reopening of Bootleggers in Kendal represents not only a significant investment in the town’s cultural landscape but also a heartfelt tribute to its storied past. With a commitment to preserving the iconic atmosphere and fostering community spirit, Bootleggers is poised to become a beloved venue once again.