Local producers set to reap the rewards of Cranstons Carlisle Food Hall relaunch
More than 35 businesses from across Cumbria and its borders will showcase their produce in Cranstons Carlisle Food Hall when it relaunches. Cranstons Carlisle Fisher Street shop is currently being completely refurbished and re-modelled transforming it from a traditional high street butchers into a modern produce Food Hall, a concept that has proved successful for Cranstons at Orton Grange and Brampton.
Cranstons local suppliers were invited to a behind the scenes tour and Cranstons Carlisle manager of over 20 years Barry Pearson talked through his plans for the Food Hall. Among guests were representatives from Cumbrian businesses Bruce and Luke`s Coffee, Claire`s Handmade, Bryson`s, Cumberland Mustard, Lakes Egg Co., Kin Vodka, Husked Brewery, The Lakes Distillery, Penrite Toffee Shop, Hawkshead Brewery, Paddigill Rum butter, the Gingerbread Bakery and Cumbrian Legendary Ales. Border suppliers Gretna Bakery, who will continue to supply their cakes and bread along and Beef supplier David Dickinson of Brockwoodlees Farm Canonbie also attended.
Cranstons new Carlisle Food Hall will offer shoppers Cranstons renowned butchery and delicatessen counters along with an enhanced range of `grab and go` produce and a broader range of complementary local food and drink. Cranstons will be stocking bestselling lines from their other food halls including: milk, yoghurts, and cheeses; chilled desserts; locally made cakes; jams; chutneys; confectionery and ice cream. The Food Hall will be licensed to sell wine and ale from five Cumbrian breweries.
A brand new hot food counter will be complemented by freshly ground hot coffee and loose scones and tray bakes delivered daily by Currock`s Gingerbread Bakery. Mel Dixon set up the Gingerbread Bakery in Currock in November 2016 and is delighted to be supplying the new Food Hall. Mel said ``Cranstons contacted me to see if I would be interested in baking for their hot food and coffee area and together we have come up with a delicious range of scones and tray bakes. It`s great to see Cumbrian businesses supporting one another.``
Martin Jones, Director said `The food industry in our area has a real strength and depth at the moment with lots of passionate producers and great brands. We are excited to offer these to Carlisle shoppers. It`s been great to see so many of our local suppliers at the new Carlisle Food Hall today supporting Cranstons and our latest project. Cranstons have always bought high quality cattle, lambs and pigs from local farms but the Food Hall shopping concept has allowed us to offer customers produce from a wide range of other Cumbrian food and drink producers.``
The shop has remained open throughout the transformation with different sections partitioned off as work is done. Cranstons brand new Carlisle Food Hall officially reopens on Thursday 29th June. Cranstons invites everyone to join them on the opening day, where there will be samples galore as well as a giant celebration cake provided by Bryson`s of Keswick, and a glass of fizz for lucky customers on arrival.
Picture Information: Back row: Mari & Geoff Avens of Cumberland Mustard; Alison Watson of Paddigill Rum Butter; Nicola Fox and Barry Pearson, Assistant Manager and Manager of Cranstons Carlisle Food Hall; Ian Thomson of Cumbrian Legendary Ales; Martin Jones Cranstons retail director and Philip Cranston, managing director .
Middle Row: Karen Taylor Brysons of Keswick; Neil Boustead from The Toffee Shop Penrith; Rachael Muir of Cumbrian Legendary Ales; Claire Kent of Claires Handmade; Judith Wren of Kin Vodka; Jonathan Robb Hawkshead Relish.
Front Row: Bethany Collin representing Gretna Bakery; Mel Dixon of the Gingerbread Bakery Currock; Luke Jackson and Bruce Brown of Bruce and Lukes Coffee; Katie Read of the The Lakes Distillery; David Dickinson of Brockwood Lees Farm and Callum O`Neill Cranstons Butcher .