FOUR sisters from Kendal are preparing for Christmas after launching their own online gift store bursting with Cumbrian suppliers after spotting a gap in the market.

Jessica, Kerri, Ailsa and Emma Reeves launched Four Sisters last year to offer customers high-end products from UK artisans and gift suppliers and ‘sustainably sourced’ packaging.

According to the siblings, the store sources 90 per cent of its products from UK suppliers and features many Cumbrian small businesses including Kirkby Lonsdale’s The Little Lakeland Soap Company, Askam’s By Moon & Tide Calligraphy, Levens Hall based Tallulah Rose Flower School and Kendal’s The Bath House.

And ten per cent of profits go to World Land Trust, a UK-based environmental charity.

Inspiration for the store came when searching for gifts online during the pandemic.

The sisters said they struggled to find anywhere with a wide selection of high-end gifts from small UK brands.

And being advocates for local producers in the Lake District, they were aware high-end products were being made in the UK – but surprised at the difficulty of locating them online.

Kerri Reeve said: "Giving gifts is a chance to show how much you care about someone and we often take occasions as opportunities to give each other something exceptional.

“During the first lockdown, it became clear that our favourite small UK designers and artisans were not easy to find online. We asked ourselves - if this is the case, what other products might we be missing out on?

“After heavily researching and discovering several hidden gems, we decided we simply had to create Four Sisters.”

Jessica Reeve said: “We want to give gift buyers the chance to buy their loved ones incredibly made gifts that are a little more special than the standard fare.

“We hope our gift boxes give people the chance to surprise their loved ones with gifts that are bound to delight and become instant favourites; all while supporting homegrown talent at a time when it is much needed.”