Cranstons has highlighted the firms from Cumbria and southern Scotland which will supply its revamped Carlisle store.

More than 35 local firms will showcase their produce when the refurbishment of the shop on Fisher Street, in the city centre, is complete at the end of this month.

These will included Bruce and Luke’s Coffee from Carlisle, Gretna Bakery, The Lakes Distillery in Setmurthy and Hawkshead Brewery.

They were all given a tour of the store this week, while the building work was ongoing.

This is the first refurbishment to the shop since 1999 and will see it transformed from a traditional butchers into a food hall, similar to those run by Cranstons in Orton Grange and Brampton.

It will continue to feature the shop's butchery and delicatessen and expand on the ready-to-eat food already available, feature a breakfast and lunch takeaway area and more local produce, including lines popular in the company's other stores.

It will also be licensed to sell wine and ale from three Cumbrian breweries.

Mel Dixon, of the Gingerbread Bakery in Currock, Carlisle, is one of the suppliers.

She said: "Cranstons contacted me to see if I would be interested in baking for their hot food and coffee area and together we have come up with a delicious range of scones and tray bakes. It’s great to see Cumbrian businesses supporting one another.’’

Another supplier, Mike Waning, farm manager at Anthorn Farm on the Solway said "I have been supplying Cranstons with salt marsh lamb throughout the summer season for several years now. The redevelopment of Cranstons Carlisle Fisher Street is great news for Cranstons farm suppliers as it gives us the confidence to develop our businesses knowing that future demand for high quality specialty lamb is secure.''

Martin Jones, director at Cranstons, said: “The food industry in our area has a real strength and depth at the moment with lots of passionate producers and great brands. We are excited to offer these to Carlisle shoppers. It’s been great to see so many of our local suppliers at the new Carlisle Food Hall today supporting Cranstons and our latest project.

"Cranstons have always bought high quality cattle, lambs and pigs from local farms but the Food Hall shopping concept has allowed us to offer customers produce from a wide range of other Cumbrian food and drink producers.’’

The shop has remained open throughout the transformation with different sections partitioned off as work is done.

The store will reopen on Thursday, June 29, with an event which will feature "samples galore", a giant celebration cake and wine.