A family food business which sells home-made goods at Keswick has enjoyed a real “taste of success” after being named Cumberland Council’s Market Trader of the Year.
Country Flavour, which is run in partnership by Chris and Jo Keogh and their son, Stephen, at their base in Kirkby Stephen, attend Keswick’s award-winning market on Thursday and Saturday.
The family business, which sells home-made products ranging from fudge and jam to lemon cheese and marmalade, has had its busiest year to date with its stalls at Keswick in terms of takings and turnover.
Having been started by Stephen’s grandparents, Harry and Rosemary, at the Herb Farm, Ivegill, near Carlisle, more than 75 years ago, the business has been based in Kirkby Stephen since 1978.
Keswick councillor Markus Campbell-Savours, Cumberland Council’s executive member for adults and community health, said: “I’m pleased to be able to present this award to Stephen, on behalf of Cumberland Council. Stephen has been a dedicated stall holder for numerous years and has played a pivotal role in fostering the ongoing success of our markets.
“The markets in Keswick, along with those in our other towns, have proven to be highly successful, making a substantial contribution to the vitality and sustainability of our communities. This success is a testament to the collective efforts of the team and the commitment of traders like Stephen. Therefore, it’s a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge their achievements and thank them for their continued support.”
“It is a very big honour to be recognised in this way,” said Stephen, who added that the accolade came “very much as a surprise”.
Family members first started standing at Keswick’s Thursday market in August 2007 and then took up a pitch on its Saturday market around 2012.
“It is very well run. There is a very good set of stalls,” said Stephen. “There is such a wide variety of products available and everyone is so friendly. Visitors know that there is going to be a good number of stalls every week and when they come they are going to get a really decent market.”
He added: “Our business relies heavily on the amount of tourists you get in Keswick. It has a phenomenal amount of visitors – that is the major thing why it is such a good market.”
Market manager Phil Byers said: “We have had the trader of the year award for six years now. It is an ideal way to award the traders for all the hard work they do on the Cumberland markets.”
Following local government reorganisation, the market is now run by Cumberland Council after it replaced Allerdale Borough Council.
The former district authority had brought the management of Keswick market back in-house in 2020 after it had been run for 20 years by Geraud Markets Ltd.
A special celebration is set to take place in 2026 which will be the market’s 750th year of running. In 2015, Keswick market was voted the best outdoor market in the UK.
Running every Thursday (mid to late February to December) and Saturday (year round), scores of traders set up their wares at Market Square.
Mr Byers added: “There is always an amazing atmosphere at our market, we have a great range of traders who all offer something diverse and unique.”
