An authentic looking American diner has opened its doors to customers in Keswick.
Pub landlady Debbie Burrows, who also runs the Lake Road Inn, and her husband Eddie, who works at Sellafield, are behind the exciting new venture in the town’s Luptons Court.
It has been named Henry’s Lakeland Diner in memory of Debbie’s father, Henry Peet, although better known as Harry, who was a Teddy boy. It has a 1950s and 1960s theme with tiled floors and a large American diner mural on the wall, complete with waitresses on skates, that has been painted by local artist John Hunter.
“I absolutely love it,” said Debbie. “I had what I wanted it to look like in my head and I think we have achieved that.”
Eddie and the couple’s nephew, Adam Peet, worked on the project for two months to give what had become a tired looking coffee lounge a much-needed new look and retro refurbishment.
“You need to sell a lot of coffee and scones to make a lot of money these days,” said Debbie, who admits to piling all her money into the project. “It’s probably the wrong time to be opening a new business but we are hoping that trade will pick up come Easter.
“At the moment we are opening from 9am until 4pm, but come February half term we might open at night.
“We are licensed and in the summer will sell beers and lagers and cocktails and might open until 10pm to 11pm.”
The diner sells all-day breakfasts, American pancakes, waffles and has some big coffee machines.
It is managed by Lorraine and staff from the pub also do shifts at the diner.
“It’s a way of keeping people in jobs because Keswick is so quiet at the moment.”
