Hard-working staff at a Keswick café have been sunning themselves in the Canary Islands, thanks to their grateful bosses.
Eight employees at Café Hope in Hope Park jetted off on Tuesday for the five-day, all-expenses holiday to Lanzarote, in recognition of their efforts during the Covid pandemic.
Café owners Ray and Sandra Dowding have paid for the whole trip – including PCR tests – although they decided to stay behind in freezing Cumbria.
Ray said: “The core team have performed superbly in the most challenging of circumstances, and towards the end of last year we decided that they deserved a reward.
“We left the choice up to them, and they decided on Lanzarote. When the UK is shivering in the middle of winter, what could be better than a few days rest and relaxation with sea and sun?”
Working with Keswick Travel, the trip was organised by café manageress Viki Mallaghan and the Dowding’s son Kevin, who joined the team six months ago.
Initially booked for earlier last month, however, the plans were temporarily put on hold by a Covid outbreak among the travelling party.
But with everyone getting the all-clear they set off last week.
“From what I’ve heard, they are having a fantastic time,” Ray said. “And the reason Sandra and I decided not to go is because the last thing they want is us cramping their style. They’ve seen quite enough of us as it is!”
Ray, a former chartered accountant, opened Café Hope in 2012 after running businesses in the north east and West Cumbria.
Over the last 10 years it has become one of Keswick’s most popular venues, serving a variety of light meals and beverages.
He said: “January’s a quiet time generally, so we’ve been able to keep things running with temporary and part-time staff. Hopefully everyone will come back refreshed and raring to go for the rest of the year.”
