WE'RE highlighting the shortlisted cafes in our competition in the News & Star. Each of the establishments will be featured over the following issues.

CROFTON Hall Coffee Shop and Eatery has been nominated by News & Star readers as one of the ten finalists in its 'Best Cafe 2024' award.

The coffee shop and eatery, which is located inside the historic grounds of Crofton Hall at Thursby, just outside of Carlisle and is run by the Kirkby family who previously owned The Plough Inn at Wreay. 

After being informed of Crofton Hall Coffee Shop and Eatery's nomination for the News & Star's 'Best Cafe 2024' award, co-owner Jane Kirkby was on hand to express her delight and explain how her current personal circumstances have the cafe harder to run.

She said: "Two months ago my partner was diagnosed with terminal cancer and only has a few weeks to live so I am having to do his stuff as well on my own so it has been quite challenging.

"It's been difficult and it is nice to get that feeling that people appreciate what you are doing because at the moment I am working flat out for about 17 hours a day. 

"Some days if it is not busy you are thinking, what am I doing this for, but suddenly someone will come in and say that they loved the food and you think, yep that is what I am doing it for. 

Jane also discussed how the family-run cafe has attempted to diversify itself from other local offerings with an emphasis on 'restaurant quality' food, with this in her mind being why she believes that Crofton Hall Coffee Shop and Eatery has been nominated.

She said: "We are not really a coffee shop per se because a lot of our food is more restaurant quality.

"You can come and get specials, we do homemade pizzas, we have a street food section where we do Bao Buns and Korean Chicken and all the things you would not necessarily get in a cafe. 

"There is a lot of competition around here with respect to cafes so I would hope that it is our food and ambiance and warm welcome that has set us apart from other establishments in the area and that is why people have put us forward for this award."