A newly-opened café in Penrith which was closed shortly after it welcomed its first customers hopes to reopen in the new year.
The Penrith Booths store was only the second in the country to open a new style of cafe which harks back to the origins of the high-end supermarket chain when it opened in June.
Booths initially launched as a café in 1847 when tea dealer Edwin Henry Booth opened his first shop, The China House.
Situated on the ground floor of the Penrith supermarket, it was running alongside the café located on the first floor.
It offered tea, coffee, a selection of open sandwiches, sharing platters, freshly baked pastries, handmade cakes and locally made patisseries.
However, soon after its opening the 1847 cafe was closed and it has remained shut ever since.
A statement from Booths said: “The 1847 café was impacted by labour shortages this spring from the very start of opening.
“These well publicised shortages have not only affected Booths, but the wider hospitality industry throughout Cumbria and the Lake District.
“Recruitment drives are in place and Booths hope to reopen the 1847 café in the new year subject to being able to deliver a high-quality offer.
“The main café at Penrith is open serving a range of teas, coffee, sandwiches, cakes and biscuits.”
