Businesses in Kendal are taking part in #yourewelcomekendal, a campaign to promote all the fantastic cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars, producers and food retailers in the town.
We’ve been catching up with the people behind the businesses to find out why they love what they do.
Erin Vallente, oversees operations at the Handsome Bar, in Kendal.
“We are really lucky with our location and we are all proud of what we have achieved and to be a part of the Handsome team,” says Erin.
“We’re right in the middle of a collection of four other bars, so we’ve nested in really well for that sort of clientele. We sell most of our own beers, and a few guests that change weekly. We’ve got a great selection of craft lagers and hand pulls, with craft ales and stouts. It’s a nice eclectic mix. Our brewer has exceptional skills and his beers are all about creating something flavoursome and elegant, but still honoring traditional brewing. We also offer a wide range of quality spirits and wines by the glass, a number of which are from French vineyards we have a close working relationship with.
“There’s a really diverse group of pubs in Kendal and we all offer something slightly different. We don’t see ourselves as being in competition with the other pubs, we’re all in it together.
“We put a lot of work into getting the atmosphere just right in the bar; using soft, comfortable furnishings to make sure it’s a warm and welcoming environment. It just makes people want to sit and relax and enjoy themselves. We try and match the mood to the clientele that are in here, dimming the chandeliers when the sun goes down and lighting the candles and changing the music style and volume to suit our guests.
“I have worked in hospitality for over 20 years, in bars, night clubs, restaurants and hotels, throughout the North West, Cumbria and even in Austria. Working for Handsome is an absolute pleasure, we have great employers. I love customer service, and the people that we get in here are wonderful. It’s really nice to be able to interact with them, teach them about our beers and help figure out what sort of drink that they want. I just really enjoy the ambience, we get lovely people in, and they keep coming back.”
About #yourewelcomekendal
#yourewelcomekendal is being funded by the Government’s Welcome Back Fund. The Welcome Back Fund is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and HM Government as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.
