When it comes an alternative to the staff Christmas party, thoughtful Cumbrian bosses have found a way to thank their teams with a purely Cumbrian gift. Working with Chestnut House in Pooley Bridge, they have created bespoke Taste of Cumbria Hampers that not only say thanks to staff but supports local businesses too.

In the week before Christmas, Chestnut House – the Pooley Bridge grocers and off-licence owned by Andrew and Emma Kaye, has been extra busy collating and packing over 300 Christmas Hampers for businesses across Cumbria, and delivering them so bosses can say thanks to staff before the holidays.

Companies including Allan Stobart Fuels, Raughton Head, Dowson Blades in Workington, British Gypsum at Kirkby Thore and David Britton Estates Penrith, selected Cumbrian treats to make very personal hampers.

Steve Hindmarsh, General  Manager at Allan Stobart Fuels Limited said “We wanted a special thank you for our staff this Christmas, so when one of our team heard of Chestnut House through from someone who had visited the shop, we gave them a ring. They were excellent at helping us with a pick and mix selection that would be right for our staff. Very friendly and helpful from start to finish and what’s more, it’s a Cumbrian Hamper. Our staff were delighted with them – and so were we.” 

Cumbrian Estate Agent David Britton ordered hampers from Chestnut house for the second successive year – and this time, doubled up the size of the hampers for his staff. David Britton said “Throughout the lockdowns I’ve shopped local and was really impressed with how the Chestnut House Team supported the community. Our staff loved the products included in the hampers last year and I know they will do the same again.”

Jane Warner, Senior Administrator at British Gypsum explained why they chose to give Cumbrian hampers to staff for Christmas. “We wanted to provide all 190 employees with a thank you gift as we can’t get together to celebrate this year. We wanted to support a small local business and so we chose Chestnut House. Andrew came up with the great idea of filling them with local produce and so we managed to support 9 local businesses and not just 1! We’d just like to say thank you to everyone involved for pulling it off at such short notice it was great working with them – Andrew and his team at Chestnut House have been fantastic!”

Andrew Kaye said “British Gypsum wanted something quickly and we were able to jump right on it because we’d anticipated demand for purely Cumbrian hampers in the summer when shop visitors were enquiring in the summer. And because we work with so many local producers, we’ve been able to come up with a great range of ‘pick and mix’ items that include things you won’t easily source else – Cumbrian Hampers – all packed with 100% Cumbrian flavours.

“It is also good to know that choosing one of our hampers means several other local artisan food and drink producers benefit too. We’d like to say a big thankyou to our suppliers who pulled out all the stops to get the goods to us and to our fab team of staff who pulled the hampers together and delivered on time.”

Pam Critchley from Dowson Blades Limited said “This year more than ever, we wanted to treat our staff over Christmas. After Chestnut House pulled out all the stops, supplying and delivering essential groceries during lockdown, we felt that supporting local producers and suppliers was the only way forward. The team at Chestnut House could not have been more helpful from beginning ot end. The hampers they created for our staff were stuffed with local products and beautifully presented. It was a real pleasure to deal with them and I highly recommend them.”

In light of the new changes to Christmas gatherings, Chestnut House Hampers are also proving popular with families who are making last minute orders on-line for loved ones they can’t see, or for themselves if their Cumbrian Christmas break has been cancelled.

Emma Kaye said “It seems that even when they can’t visit, people still want a taste of Cumbria – and we know that when they do come back – they’ll pop back  to Pooley Bridge when they can, so it’s a win for everyone.” 

The shop is open all year round (except Christmas Day), open well into the evening during the summer, but closing early evening in winter.