Kendal Market Hall cuts carbon with air source heat pump as part of 2 million pound public building retrofit

Westmorland and Furness Council completed a 1.75 million pound decarbonisation project at Kendal Market Hall, installing an air source heat pump to replace aging gas boilers. The work is part of a broader 2 million pound programme covering leisure centres and council buildings. Funding came from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme run by Salix, with the council matching from its capital maintenance budget. The combined projects are expected to save 343 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year. Appleby Leisure Centre will also get an air source heat pump, plus rooftop solar and triple glazing funded separately by Sport England. Further upgrades are planned for Kendal Leisure Centre and South Lakeland House later this year. The council aims to reach net zero by 2037. The market hall also received roof replacement, solar PV, and structural repairs as part of the wider Heart of Kendal regeneration scheme. Engineering consultants WSP have been appointed to deliver public realm upgrades to Market Place and Kent Street, with construction expected from spring 2027 to spring 2028.