Youth Hostel Chief agrees to proposal from Farron for alternative site for Kendal youth Hostel

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 15th Jul 2010

Fears that the Youth Hostel in Kendal will be forced to close have been temporarily lifted after Carolyn White, Chief Executive of the Youth Hostel Association, agreed to consider a proposal put forward by South Lakes MP Tim Farron for another building to used as a replacement.

The hostel has previously been used to provide accommodation for visitors attending a whole range of festivals and activities such as the annual Mountain Festival in November as well as by the British Judo Association, who regularly use the site for their international competitions in Kendal because of the option to book the entire complement of 52 beds for visiting teams

The hostel was due to close in 2011 due to increasing financial pressure, however Mr Farron is now appealing to people in the South Lakeland community who may be able to provide an alternative site to come forward. The site would be required to house between 50-60 beds in 4 bed rooms.

Commenting Mr Farron said:

"I'm delighted that Carolyn White has agreed to look again at the decision to close Kendal Youth Hostel and is prepared to look at alternative sites.

"The hostel has proved to be a fantastic facility for hundreds of visitors who come to Kendal for events like the annual Mountain Festival, particularly given the shortage of cheaper accommodation in the town.

"The survival of the hostel is now even more important because of the increasingly stringent regulations on home stays for young people, which has increased the attractiveness of the hostel.

"I'd encourage anyone with an appropriately sized property to come forward and help us save Kendal Youth Hostel."