INDEPENDENT businesses have come together to raise the profile of Kendal high street ‘s creative businesses with a new initiative.

The Creative Quarter is the brain child of Clive Barber, who runs Cable and Blake fabrics of the Lakes with his wife.

The pair, whose shop is based in Highgate, were trying to think of ideas to attract more visitors to that end of town and decided to get businesses together to form a platform dedicated to the town's independents.

“We initially printed some window stickers to create a bit of interest, and knocked on a few doors to gauge interest,” said Mr Barber.

“Lots of people were very encouraging, and keen to be involved.”

A website has recently been launched and Mr Barber has plenty of ideas to take the campaign further.

He is looking to collaborate with a local film maker to create promotional videos, an artist to illustrate a walking map of the area’s shops and hopes to engage with Kendal BID and Cumbria Tourism.

Businesses that have joined the movement include Armstrong and Ward, Comida Food, Hello Home, Melrose Designs and many more.

The collaboration has even expanded to include creative businesses that operate solely online too.

Mr Barber added: "We want to make Kendal more of a destination.

"If it's a rainy day on the fells have a look around the wealth of independent shops in Kendal."

Jacqueline Ward, co-owner of Armstrong Ward, said: “The Creative Quarter is a brilliant initiative.

“Independent small businesses in Kendal being proactive and working collaboratively to promote what they and each other do, celebrating the diversity of creative small businesses.”

Visit www.thecreativequarterkendal.co.uk for more.