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

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

The coffee shop is located in Carlisle's West Walls and is run by owner Marco Aveta who took over the cafe alongside his late wife Carol Ferguson in 2016.

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

He said: "We are very happy to have been nominated and we appreciate everybody who voted for us.

"One of the strengths of our business is that we have so many regulars that have allowed us to get through some of the tough times in the last four or five years and that is why we're still here, because of their support. 

"We are just so grateful."

For Marco, The Old Engine House has maintained its stellar local reputation through the consistent quality of its offerings combined with its focus on affordability and value for money.

He said: "We are appreciated for the quality of the service and the produce and we are consistent, I think that is very important.

"We have been consistent in what we serve, here we try to serve a consistent level of quality, service, and value for money.

"We still offer a good value for money which I think at this moment in time a lot of people appreciate.

"For us, we want people to come and have half an hour or an hour for lunch without spending a fortune so we try to be as affordable as we can."

Marco also discussed his love for the community that has been built around his coffee shop and the 'reward' he gest every day from interacting with regular customers who have become friends.

He said: "It means a lot to us and that is why I do this job. 

"You deal with people every day in different situations who have different tastes and preferences but this is where you get the great reward from being in this business.

"A lot of our customers are our friends and people that we have gotten to know over the years."