This week our Trader of the Week is The Gather, a community venue in the western Lake District village of Ennerdale. 

The Gather offers a range of amenities to the people of the village and those passing through, including: a shop, a cafe and a function area which is used for a range of different activities and events. 

The Gather opened back in 2016 and has proved very popular with locals and others who use the facilities. 

They have recently been offering a range of activities for adults and children to enjoy over the Christmas and new year period. 

Emma Shepherd, of The Gather, said: "We're a community space and facility that serves the local village. 

"For Coast-to-Coast walkers starting from St Bees they will finish the Coast to Coast in Ennerdale, so we often get a lot of walkers in. 

"We've got a cafe, shop and a community space upstairs where we hold events like live music and craft fairs. We have a shop where we stock locally sourced craft items. 

"We've been open since April 2016, we've proved popular in the village and have a good community reach. 

"Recently we've had the Christmas Craft Fair which saw 15 stallholders coming along at the weekend selling their own produce. 

"We've also run a letter to Santa attraction where children can post letters to Santa and get one back. 

Whitehaven News: Letters to Santa attraction Letters to Santa attraction (Image: Newsquest)

"We've had various other Christmas events like a Celtic Christmas music event and a charity quiz night. 

"The idea for The Gather started because there were no services in the village and there was nothing here for the locals. 

"The people of Ennerdale had a consultation and decided what they wanted, and it was from that The Gather came to be."

As we move into the new year The Gather will be working in collaboration with Muncaster Castle to run an event for them. 

The Gather is also listed as a warm hub which are places people can go to to stay warm during the wintertime of the cost-of-living crisis. It is open every Wednesday between 10am and 2pm for this service. There are complimentary refreshments available for those who attend.