We're highlighting the shortlisted cafes in our competition in the News & Star. Each of the establishments will be featured over ten issues.

Barton Yard has been nominated by News & Star readers as one of the ten finalists in its 'Best Cafe 2024' award.

The cafe bar which is connected to Carlisle's The Halston - Hotel is overseen by general manager Yann Besombes. 

After learning of Barton Yard's nomination for 'Best Cafe 2024' by News & Star readers, Yann was on hand to express his delight. 

He said: "It's great news. 

"We are very happy, the nomination represents how well the chefs are doing with the fresh cooked breakfast and nice lunches and just how positive everything is because everyone has been working very hard to make this place a welcoming cafe."

"We have been open for ten years now at the Halston and Barton's Yard closed down during lockdown but we have tried really hard to bring it back and we see a lot of regulars that keep coming back so we are very happy to be nominated."

Yann also discussed what he believes has made Barton's Yard such a hit with local cafe-goers, with the cafe's focus on creating a comfortable environment at the core of this.

He said: "It's a really nice relaxing place and the decor is vibrant, it is classy but not old fashioned.

"We serve a good breakfast between 8 o'clock and 11 o'clock in the morning but we have a lot of people who just come with a laptop and use it as an office, with our free internet,  and get a few coffees.

"We also serve good coffee as well, people have been commenting recently that they can really see a better quality of coffee. We use Cumbrian Coffee Company at Kendal and it is really good."