Carlisle sandwich shop celebrates 18 years of business

Crumbs in Dalston opened on Valentines Day in 2006, and its loving relationship with its customers has ensured it is still going strong 18 years later.

Despite facing challenges such as the coronavirus pandemic and the cost of living crisis, Crumbs has had very little staff turnover in its 18 years in Dalston and remains one of the most popular spots for sandwiches in the area.

To celebrate Crumbs now being old enough to buy its own beer, owner Deb Clode rewarded random customers with biscuits, chocolate and flowers on Valentine's Day to repay them for all their support.

In an interview with the News & Star, Deb said: "My husband worked in Dalston and said that it needed a sandwich shop. We took over from the old library. We've got another shop in Denton Holme, and they certainly keep me on my toes."

Deb won an award from BBC Radio Cumbria last year (Image: Supplied)

While the shop, and much of the personnel, may have stayed the same, there have been plenty of changes to the menu since 2006, with pasta, salad boxes and paninis added, as well as the incredibly popular festive baguettes at Christmas.

Seeing people grow older while supporting Crumbs has been one of Deb's main highlights in her 18 years running the shop. 

She said: "The kids from Caldew School used to come, and now you see them coming in as adults with their children. It's lovely.

"We get a lot of passing trade through. We're mentioned in one of the Land's End to John o' Groats books, so we get plenty of walkers too."

Such is Crumbs' popularity that they even had singer Will Young walk in once for a sandwich, which remains one of Deb's favourite memories.

Deb added: "We get people who came in 18 years ago, maybe now they're on their own, and they say that its cheaper to buy a sandwich or a salad here than it is to go to the supermarket by themselves. Our customers have grown old with us."