Name: The Old Engine House

Where: West Walls, Carlisle

Website: Facebook.com/theoldenginehouse

Tel: 01228 510741

Opening hours. Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 4pm.

Owner/chef: Marco Aveta and Carol Ferguson Aveta

History: Once housing what was the smithy of the fire station of Carlisle, it is the only surviving building of the complex that once was the city fire station.

Marco hails from Naples and Carol is a Carlisle girl. After decades of working for international hotel companies in the Middle East, North Africa and then the UK, both decided to run their own business and bought the Old Engine house café in 2016.

Food and coffee are prepared with Italian passion and served with Cumbrian charm.

Style of food: Enjoy morning coffee, a light bite, lunch or afternoon tea and cakes in an intimate venue.The Old Engine House uses local producers wherever possible and offers a healthy balance of dishes.

Menu sample: There are light bites, such as toasted crumpets with Camembert and apricot jam (£2.40); toasted cheese scone with extra mature Cheddar and chutney (£2.40); toasted fruit scone with Cheshire cheese and blackcurrant jam (£2.40); soup of the day, served with hand-cut bread and butter (£3.95).

House specials (costing £5.50) include chicken tikka with tomato, onion and spinach in a toasted flatbread; Serrano ham, rocket leaves, tomato and mozzarella in a toasted flatbread; tuna, spinach, sundried tomatoes and feta cheese in a toasted panini; falafel and houmous with spinach, onion and tomato in a toasted wrap; and roasted peppers with spinach and goat’s cheese panini.

House specials include BCB - bacon cranberry and Brie sandwich; and roasted ham, mustard, tomato, spinach and Cheddar (each £4.75).

Cakes include sticky chocolate and orange cake (£2.45); apple shortcake with cream (£1.95); and gluten free chocolate chip brownie (£1.95).

In their own words: “We are a contemporary coffee shop in the historic quarter of the city, providing a cosy and friendly meeting place for the many regulars and visitors alike. In the words of many of our customers, we are ‘a hidden gem’.”