We're highlighting the shortlisted coffee shops in our competition in the News & Star. Each of the establishments will be featured over ten issues.

Fellwater Coffee has been nominated by News & Star readers as one of the ten finalists in its 'Best Coffee Shop 2024' award.

The coffee van, which is more often than not found near the Memorial Bridge in Carlisle's Rickerby Park, is run by owner Owen Clarke who started his business three years ago.

After being informed that Fellwater Coffee had been nominated by News & Star readers to feature in the final ten of the 'Best Coffee Shop 2024' award Owen was on hand to express his delight. 

He said: "It's humbling, really humbling.

"When I set the van up I did it because I wanted to do something simple and well and I have a passion for coffee.

"I discovered that easily the best part of my job is meeting people and the community that it brings so the fact people have voted for me is a lovely thing."

For Owen, what has made his business popular in the local area is his passion for quality coffee and a dedication to 'do the simple things well'.

He said: "I focus on doing things simply and well and that is what I apply to most things I do.

"Coffee has always been a passion of mine and I have always fancied doing something like this.

"People like consistency and they know that if they come to me they will get the same drink every time.

"I don't do syrups and cream and marshmallow, I spend quite good money on decent ingredients and put a lot of effort into making the drinks good.

"That sounds really simple but people appreciate that."

Owen also discussed how his van is not just about coffee and how he wants it to be a place where people can come and discuss anything that may be on their minds. 

He said: "There is a good community around my van.

"People of course come for a drink but some people come down every day just to hang around and I like being part of that. 

"I've been fairly open that I have had my own struggles with mental health and a lot of people do.

"I have people come down just to have a chat with someone and people can come down to me and chat about anything.

"It's somewhere where you can get a coffee and have a craic but also offload and chat about anything."