Chestnut House open all hours – just like the TV programme & with a hamper full of Cumbrian flavour

Chestnut House – the Pooley Bridge grocers and off-licence owned by Andrew and Emma Kaye, is renowned for its entrepreneurial spirit, being open all hours, and for the colourful characters who work there. The team has just brought Christmas cheer to the shop during a festive photoshoot where they chose to emulate comic actors from Award Winning British Comedy ‘Open All Hours’.

Andrew said “During the lockdowns we felt it was important to make sure we stayed open all hours to serve the local community as best we could – Pooley’s equivalent of Arkwright’s Corner Shop. There were times during the day that we were the only shop open in the village and people relied on us for their basic shopping as well as our home delivery service. One or two customers commented that Darren and I are a comic duo, so we had fun one morning with a photographer who was taking pictures of our Christmas Hampers.”

Chestnut House anticipated growth in artisan Cumbrian hampers because they had been approached by numerous local businesses looking for a pure ‘Taste of Cumbria’. Through the summer they developed a range of ‘pick and mix’ Cumbrian Hampers – all packed with 100% Cumbrian flavours. Over 300 hampers are currently in production for businesses right across the county.

Emma said “ We’re a small, tight knit team so we all know the provenance of the food we sell – just ask us about the local producers: the farmers and butchers, the greengrocer, the bread and cake bakers, jam and chutney makers, beer brewers and spirit distillers and you’ll get an education – and it’s been great to work with them to all to create truly Cumbrian Christmas gifts.

We’re getting a lot of on-line orders from family members who can’t come to Cumbria for Christmas – sending hampers gives them a taste of Cumbria even when they can’t visit.”
Taking advantage of a temporary bridge closure, Andrew and Emma posed for pictures on the new Pooley Bridge demonstrating social distancing 2 metres apart with their front of house team Darren Todd and Caroline Goodwin. Back at the shop Andrew and Darren mimicked Arkwright and Granville – the Open All Hours characters played by Ronnie Barker and David Jason.

Their excellence in customer service and wall of 400+ gins makes it a destination shopping experience – earning it the top shopping spot: 1st of 160+ for shopping in Cumbria by Trip Advisor.

The shop is open all year round (except Christmas Day), open well into the evening during the summer, but closing early evening in winter or you can of course buy through this website.

Pictures: Chestnut House Team celebrating with Christmas Hampers.  Andrew Kaye and Darren Todd play Arkwright and Granville.  Staying safe – 2m apart on Pooley Bridge.  Andrew with Corporate Hamper delivery.