The hunt is on to find a new tenant for Kendal’s KFC restaurant – with another restaurant or coffee shop most likely to occupy one of the town’s oldest buildings.

Chartered surveyors Edwin Thompson has been instructed to find a new business to take on The Woolpack Inn building in Stricklandgate after KFC shut its doors after 20 years at the site.

While KFC has said it was seeking alternative out-of-town drive-thru premises after its lease on the historic building came to an end, Edwin Thompson believes the new tenants is likely to be a restaurant, coffee or shop or another leisure user.

The firm’s commercial agency surveyor, Suzie Barron, told in-Cumbria: “The Woolpack Inn is one of Kendal’s oldest buildings and has a wealth of history surrounding it. 

“It is always sad to see a business leave the high street however we are committed to finding an alternative restaurant, coffee shop or leisure operator to revitalise this attractive grade II listed building on the prime pitch of Stricklandgate.”

The building occupies a prominent position between Boots and Holland and Barrett, forming an archway above one of the main walkways to both the Booths supermarket and Marks & Spencer.

It has a total floor area of 2,469sq ft over three floors, which can accommodate around 80 covers, said Edwin Thompson.

Prior to being occupied by KFC in the late 1990s, the building was home to one of Kendal’s top hotels and public houses.

Its history goes back to the late 1700s, having been an inn for much of its life, but also a brewery.

Meanwhile, KFC has started a hunt of its own to find a new site in the area, after suddenly shutting up shop in the town centre.

Speculation grows as to whether it may occupy another vacant property in the town or pursue a new-build.

The former Showground site, now retail park, off Queen Katherine Road, has been mooted as one of the possible locations, in-Cumbria, understands.