Last updated at 21:04, Thursday, 09 August 2012

The world is coming to Maryport, thanks to a new shop.

Little World Foods aims to bring foods, sauces and spices from all over the world.

It has been opened by River Zichem, 45, who was born in South America and raised in Holland from the age of seven.

Mr Zichem met his West Cumbrian partner Gillian Cass, 29, when she was travelling in Holland.

When she became pregnant with the first of their three children, eight years ago, the couple moved to Maryport and now live at Hillside.

Mr Zichem, who used to work at the town’s West Port window firm, said: “I was sitting at home wondering what I could do to make a life for my family and I realised that there were a lot of migrants in the area.

“A shop became available on Hillside and I applied for it. We didn’t get it but when Treats on Curzon Street was closed we decided to take it.”

The couple sell Polish and Slovakian foodstuffs as well as Thai and Indian.

They plan to extend the shop floor and stock non-gluten foods for people suffering from coeliac disease.

The couple added that they plan to try to source anything that customers may request.

First published at 19:19, Thursday, 09 August 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk