The Duke of Cumberland pub in the Lake District town of Kendal will reopen this May following a £370k investment by leading pub company Punch Pubs & Co.
The popular tourist hotspot – previously a favourite with walkers, families, and locals – will welcome guests back with a completely refreshed look and feel, while the transformation aims to reaffirm its place as the go-to destination in the town.
Considered as the southern gateway to the Lakes, Kendal’s beautiful rural surroundings have inspired the pub’s new design, which pays homage to the area’s natural landscape.
The reopening will also see a new Management Partnership, with Richard Bailey and his husband, Scott, taking the helm. Having lived locally for the past few years and with a wealth of hospitality experience under their belt, Richard and Scott are eager to step behind the bar and bring fresh energy to this much-loved pub.
Richard said: “We want The Duke of Cumberland to be a truly community‑led pub, with activities and entertainment shaped by the people who use it. We have enjoyed drinking here in the past, so it’s a fantastic opportunity to now be taking the reins. We are really looking forward to getting started and bringing fresh energy to this great local.”
The refresh will breathe new life into the pub with an internal repaint throughout, focused on a refreshed earthy colour scheme reflecting the surrounding nature walks. While original features will be kept, the new-look pub will feature a dog-friendly dining area and extended bar to cater to the pub’s new drinks range – whether it be a crisp pint, classic G&T or a hot drink, the new menu will cater to everyone, no matter the occasion.
Upstairs, the current function room will undergo the same refresh, but with the exciting addition of two new dartboards. While it will still be used for private parties and meetings, the revitalised space will welcome darts teams that Richard and Scott will be bringing from their former pub, hoping to set up regular darts competitions and friendlies.
Outside, the pub’s exterior will receive a full redecoration. Renowned for its vast beer garden, the space will be refreshed with added sparkle and subtle tweaks to complement the pub’s new aesthetic. Along with the additional outside bar for those sunny days.
Guests will also be delighted to see food return to the menu. With all the classic flavours you’d expect from a great British pub – and fresh, seasonal ingredients at the heart of every dish – the kitchen will serve everything from stacked burgers and steak & ale pie to chicken gyros, beef lasagne and all-day breakfasts.
Punch Pubs & Co Operations Manager, Andrew Palfreyman, continued: “The Duke of Cumberland is a fantastic pub in a brilliant location. I’m really looking forward to working with Richard, who has big ideas for its future. I’m confident that, alongside Punch’s training and support, this pub will become the go-to place in the town once again.”
With ambitions to become the best pub in Kendal town. Richard and Scott hope the investment and their arrival will offer guests great food, cold beer, and a guaranteed warm welcome on every visit.
More information about the pub’s reopening on the 12th of May will be shared with the community in the coming weeks.