John Watt & Son

Since 1865 John Watt & Son has roasted coffee beans almost every day providing the city of Carlisle with a unique sound and rich smell as the coffee beans are roasted.

In 1897 Glovers Row was demolished and Watts moved to Bank Street.

John died in 1916 and the business was carried on by his son Henry. Upon Henry's death in the early 40s his widow took a partner, Mr Frederick Hodgson, into the business. When Mr Hodgson died in the early sixties his widow sold the business to Mr Ashley Kendal Senior.

In 1984 the business faced closure due to the pressures of out of town shopping and the opening of the Lanes shopping area. So the shop changed from a traditional grocers serving and delivering in the local area to a sit down Tea & Coffee Room, specialising in freshly roasted coffee. The shop is now run by Ashley Kendal Jnr.