Threlkeld businesses help cover costs of temporary toilets on trail

A pair of Threlkeld businesses have helped cover the costs of the temporary toilets on the Keswick to Threlkeld Trail.

Threlkeld Community Coffee Shop and Stone Harrison Ltd, the owners of the Horse and Farrier, are giving £1,000.

It follows a warning earlier this month from the Lake District National Park Authority, which told Keswick Town Council it could no longer foot the annual bill with the town council and Allerdale Borough Council both expected to chip in £1,800.

Adam Bazire, chairman of the coffee shop, said: “A number of people end their trip along the K2T trail with coffee, sandwiches and cakes at the coffee shop – where all profits are put back into the community.

“Having toilet facilities is important to many users and it is disappointing that no permanent conveniences are available at the start of the trail. We have suffered similarly at the Threlkeld end, where Eden District Council have closed the public toilets.

“This has increased usage of the facilities at the hospitality venues as well as the costs of providing and servicing them. Nevertheless, both businesses felt it was appropriate to support the toilets at the Keswick end as well, and hope that it brings our customers some relief.”

David Arkley, of Stone Harrison Ltd, added “We are keen to support the community and the residents in both Keswick and Threlkeld.

“We see pubs like the Horse and Farrier as being at the heart of the community and we want to encourage visitors and local people to enjoy the benefits of the wonderful walk between Threlkeld and Keswick in comfort with a well-deserved pint and a lovely meal at the end of it.

“Hopefully having worked off a few calories en route!”