The owner of a popular Carlisle cafeteria has officially stepped back after 11 years with the business. 

Christine Stalker purchased Stalker's Food 4 Thought in December 2012, just a few months after remarkably winning £500,000 on the former ITV gameshow Red or Black.

It was always Christine's dream to own a food establishment and she felt it was 'fate' that the premises were listed for sale in The Cumberland News just a few days after she won half a million.

Despite almost single-handedly dragging the business through the challenges that the coronavirus pandemic and the cost of living crisis threw at her, Christine managed to keep the business running successfully. 

And on January 7, she officially handed over the reigns to new owners, ensuring that she has more time to spend with her five-year-old daughter, having taken on a new job in the kitchen at Dalston School.

In an interview with the News & Star, Christine said: "It was fate, it was just meant to be, so I bought it. It has been a hard 11 years, especially the last five years. But I've loved every minute of it, it's been really good.

"I just wanted my life back, because it's really hard running a business. It's not the end, I want to do something else, but my daughter is only five and I wasn't getting much time with her."

Considering the current cost of living crisis, Christine felt that now was the right time to sell, despite the business continuing to thrive, and she is hopeful that the new owners can continue where she left off. 

She said: "Good luck to the new owners. They're going to keep it much the same, because it's a good business. Everyone's really happy. I'll have a few years with my family and then look to do something else in a few years' time. 

"Thank you to all my lovely customers over the years, I've made some really good friends. After 11 years, I have done what I needed to do, it was the right time to let someone else take over."