Threlkeld Community Coffee Shop has reopened for business.
Situated right in the heart of the village, it has in recent years become a favourite location for locals and visitors alike. after undergoing an impressive refurbishment.
With the reopening of the Keswick to Threlkeld path in December and this week’s relaxation of Government restrictions, staff at the coffee shop are now gearing up to provide home-made refreshments to large numbers of customers.
These include walkers at the foot of Blencathra, visitors and villagers in Threlkeld and people who have walked the four-mile trail from Keswick.
Steve Campbell, local chef and manger of the coffee shop, said: “Many local people know where we are but we have invested in new picnic benches, outdoor shelters and signage, which we hope will bring new people in.
“The signed notice board also has information about menus, specials, opening times and local events.”
Opening times will be from 10am to 4pm, with a take-away service for hot drinks, hot bacon and sausage sandwiches, cold sandwiches, soup, cake and tray bakes. In the summer, opening times will be extended to 5pm.
From April 12, the outdoor shelters and tables in the village hall car park will reopen for an outdoor service at the coffee shop, offering visitors magnificent views south to Clough Head and St John’s in the Vale.
Finally, as long as government restrictions allow, full indoor service will resume on May 17.
Originally built in 1901, the village hall has been at the centre of Threlkeld life for more than a century and has provided refreshment for many of those years.
The building was substantially renovated during 2013 to provide a large hall which can accommodate 120 people seated and it is widely used by the local community and groups for events such as dances, films, concerts and keep fit.
Threlkeld Activities Association organises these events on roughly a fortnightly basis through the year. They support the village and help to keep the hall as one of the hubs of the local community.
As part of the rebuild, the coffee shop was created to the rear of the hall, with new facilities for food preparation, inside seating for around 30 people and a covered balcony outside for a further 15 people.
The coffee shop is wholly owned by the village hall trust and is constituted a community interest company, which returns all profits to the local community of Threlkeld.
In recent years, the hall and coffee shop have supported many local groups including Threlkeld Cricket Club, Threlkeld Church of England Junior School and local youth and activity groups.
All profits go back into the village.
Two years ago, the coffee shop was relaunched with an enlarged board of volunteer directors and under the leadership Steve and his team, it has grown in popularity and become a favourite haunt for many. Its situation in the village hall gives access to its excellent facilities in the heart of the Lake District National Park.
In 2019, the coffee shop extended its offer with the installation of a shelving unit for retail sales of gifts, locally-made jewellery, gift food, local ales and maps and guide books.
At the start of that year, a new menu was also launched, which has proved popular.
