Somervell Steps

Kendal Town Council and Kendal Civic Society have commissioned Stephenson Halliday to design a ‘pocket’ community open space on the riverside walk adjoining the River Kent within the town centre. Robust local materials and finishes will provide a distinctive and easily maintained public space with informal herbaceous meadow planting with bulbs giving colour through the seasons. A wheelchair friendly route to the riverside from the town centre forms a central feature of the space, and accessible and comfortable seating is provided for the benefit of residents of the sheltered housing which adjoins the site.

The design of the space reflects Kendal’s historic connection with the manufacture of shoes, in particular K Shoes; local limestone salvaged from the demolished historic parts of the K Shoe Factory will be used for walls and seats, and funding will be provided by the Somervell Trust, a family trust with strong connections with K Shoes.

Client: Kendal Town Council and Kendal Civic Society