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

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

The dog-friendly coffee shop, located on the ground floor of the BE Uniforms shop on Carlisle's West Tower Street, is run by manager Lori Rogerson and owned by William and Ross Smillie.

After being informed that Smillie's Coffee Bar had been nominated by News & Star readers to feature in the final ten of the 'Best Coffee Shop 2024' award Lori was on hand to express her delight. 

She said: "We are over the moon and we were actually really shocked because of how new we are.

"We were surprised but it is so nice. We actually did not know anything about it, it was actually one of our regulars who popped in and said that they had nominated us for this award. 

"We have got the regulars to thank because we have got such a great bunch of regulars that have managed to rally around for us."

Lori was also keen to highlight how the coffee bar's locally sourced produce as well as its friendly atmosphere has made it a local favourite in just under six months.

She said: "I definitely think it is the quality of our coffee which is just incredible.

"I would also say that around 90 per cent of our suppliers are in Carlisle, it is all local and homemade. 

"The community here is also lovely, we have got a huge collection of regulars that we have gotten to know.

"It is nice to have a chit-chat, it is not just an in-and-out thing, we have gotten to know them and with us being dog-friendly I find that when people come in with their dogs it is such a good opening to get to chatting with them."