A village shop has been given a new lease of life and its future secured for the long term after a “massive” cash investment’.
Renovation work has been ongoing at the Braithwaite Village Shop for the past 18 months after owner Daphne Eddington was given permission from the Lake District National Park Authority to expand into the house and diversify the business.
This has led to the creation of a newly-opened tea room, which is accessed via the shop, and offers hot and cold drinks, cakes, scones, breakfasts, sandwiches, paninis and daily specials, such as soup or pie and mash, from 8.30am to 4pm.
Very shortly Braithwaite House will also have four Airbnb short stay private rooms, to further support the sustainability of the village shop.
Additionally, a local heritage room will be created at the back of the complex, to offer the village an opportunity to showcase Braithwaite and the surrounding area’s heritage. It will display infographics about the village’s history and it is hoped that some artefacts relating to Force Crag Mine – the last working metal mine in the Lake District, prior to its final abandonment in 1991 – will also be on display.
And above this part of the complex, on the first floor, the aim is to eventually have a one-bedroom ‘affordable’ apartment for a local person to rent.
“In order to survive, the shop has needed a way to diversify for almost as long as we have had it, which is now 20 years,” said Daphne. “Our goal has always been to maintain village life and keep a shop in Braithwaite.”
This has been possible after Daphne bought the freehold for the property with the help of friends who “have made sure it could be affordable financially”.
“If somebody else had bought the freehold to the building then they would have wanted me to forgo the lease of the shop and they would have closed the shop down,” she said. “We had to secure the freehold which was touch and go for a long time. It was very traumatic.
“The tourists love the shop and tea room. It’s part of village life and they ask: ‘Is this what it’s like here?’ It’s a nice social spot for the elderly to come and buy a paper and sit down and chat.”
Daphne is also training up five young people to help run the tea room and cafe.
Tomorrow, from 4pm-6pm, the tea room is hosting a festive event, offering complimentary mulled wine, mince pies and festive community spirit, showcasing local gifts and goodies.
“As things progress in Braithwaite and we adapt and evolve, we hope to see some old and new friendly faces,” said Daphne.
