TRADERS have thrown their support behind a new town centre manager being appointed for Kendal.

The post has been vacant since December following Maria Appleton's resignation after about five years in the role.

South Lakeland District Council's economic development manager Richard Greenwood said the position was being reviewed but he hoped Cabinet would agree for it to be advertised in the "near future".

He said a number of traders within the Kendal Partnership had contributed towards providing a town centre manager for Kendal, and had been asked about the prospect of someone new taking on the responsibilities.

"Their response was a resounding yes'," Mr Greenwood told The Westmorland Gazette.

He said some of the town centre manager's duties had been taken on over recent weeks by his economic development team and other centre managers, including Peter Boyd, of Elephant Yard; Lynn Ison, of Westmorland Shopping Centre; and Mandy Dixon, of K Village.

"Everyone has pulled together and worked really hard, but there's a limit to how long we can do that," he said.

The responsibilities of the role have included promoting Kendal, environmental improvements such as the Kendal In Bloom initiative, helping organise events and entertainment, and communicating between town traders and the council.

"It is a bit arm's length from the rest of the council, and sometimes you are pulled in different directions. It takes some special skills and attributes to deal with that, and that's what we will be looking for."

February 14, 2003 10:00