Kendal College completes 50,000 sq ft campus deal 

Praxis has sold a chunk of Westmorland Shopping Centre to the institution more than two years after the college announced its intention to create a campus there.

Kendall College has completed what it describes as a “multi-million-pound deal” to create teaching space for 400 students within the shopping centre.

The 50,000 sq ft campus will be installed over ground and first floors, while the lower mall retail space, indoor market hall, and public car park will be retained by Praxis.

The college has occupied parts of the shopping centre since January 2021 with some classes already delivered there. It first announced the intention to open a campus at the retail complex in August 2021.

Refurbishment work on the building is expected to begin in the coming weeks, enabling the new campus to be ready to welcome students in September, according to the college.

Facilities in the building will include a TV studio, lecture theatre, science labs, and a dedicated business suite.

North West law firm Harrison Drury advised Kendal College on the purchase of the shopping centre from previous owner Longlands alongside managing agent Praxis Real Estate Management.

Danielle Leeming, associate solicitor at Harrison Drury, said the deal was “great news” for both the college and the town centre.

“Not only does [the deal] provide the college with the additional space and facilities needed to provide fantastic new learning opportunities, it revitalises a major town centre asset and the shopping district will benefit from significant additional footfall.

“This was a complex deal involving many stakeholders, which included the college, funders, investors, leaseholders and the local council.”

She added: “We’re proud to have played our part in helping the college to make its ambitious vision for growth possible as well as supporting Kendal’s ongoing regeneration.”

Kelvin Nash, principal of Kendal College, added: “Due to our increased student numbers and the need for additional space, we have looked at various options for a third college campus.

“The college’s use of the Westmorland Centre as a third campus will cement the college further into the heart of the town and its community, contributing to the social and economic development of Kendal and surrounding areas.”

Kendal College, which has 1,400 full-time students, also has campuses in Milnthorpe Road and Beezon Road in the town.

Harrison Drury’s team advising Kendal College on the property purchase was led by Danielle Leeming and Clare Davey. The firm advised the college in areas including heads of terms, deal structuring, refinancing and landlord and tenant matters.

The scheme features within Westmorland Council’s Heart of Kendal project, which won £13.5m from the government’s Levelling Up Fund last year.

As well as the LUF cash, the deal has been funded through a mix of bank funding and other grant funding sources.

RSM UK provided tax advice to the college. The vendor was advised by Hanover Law.