Mayor hails Appleby's progress after ribbon-cutting

Cllr Gareth Hayes said the opening of Lilly’s Cafe was part of a ‘real rejuvenation of Bridge Street’.

“Young people are seeing the great opportunities that Appleby has to offer to start a new business and enjoy a great lifestyle,” he said.

“The past 18 months have been very challenging for the retail sector everywhere.

“However, I am so proud of how the independent shops and hospitality businesses in Appleby have battled through and are now developing innovative ways to provide the very best customer experience and meet the needs of our local community, as well as our visitors.”

An Italian restaurant and specialist retailers are also set to open their doors in the town this summer.

The new café is named after the daughter of owners Abi and Connor Ruehorn-Hyde.

The pair have commissioned a special ‘Lilly’s blend’ of Pennington’s coffee, while an early breakfast pick-up service is aiming to meet the needs of people making their way to work.

Mrs Ruehorn-Hyde said: “We want to be part of the community and, when we saw the café was for sale, it was our opportunity to create our own family business and make Appleby our home.”

The couple moved from Rochdale to Cumbria five years ago and moved to Appleby in August of last year.

Mr Ruehorn-Hyde said: “Coming from a farming background, I know what it is like trying to find a decent sandwich and coffee on the way to work - especially with the very early starts.

“This is why we have set up a breakfast order service where you can place your order - even the night before - and we will have it ready for you to collet any time between 6 and 8am.

“We are taking orders through our Facebook page or by phone.”

Cllr Hayes described the couple as the ‘next generation of businesspeople’ for Appleby.

He said they were ‘building on our heritage of a rural centre of commerce, and crafting a future for themselves, their family and the town’.

Visit ‘Lilly’s Cafe’ on Facebook for more information about the business.