WALNEY’S first ever electric car charging point is now available at a newly-reopened guesthouse for key workers and its owner says it points to a greener future.

The charging station at West Point House in Solway Drive, Walney Island, is only the second to open in the Furness area and is for the whole community to use.

 The hotel is taking on guests once again after a three-month closure due to the coronavirus crisis.

The self-catering accommodation, which has 37 bedrooms and employs seven members of staff, is owned by Heather Cockett Phillips and her husband John Phillips who set up the facility nine years ago.

It frequently houses Furness General Hospital staff and BAE and windfarm workers.

Mrs Cockett Phillips said: “Our previous guests were asking us to reopen as they were coming back to work.

“It’s like a big family here, we’ve missed seeing everyone. We’ve put up social distancing rules and stickers in the accommodation - there’s lots of preparations in place.

“We’ve had guests ask for an electric charging point and we both want to get an electric car, so it just made sense. 

“If everyone does their bit, we can all have electric cars and reduce pollution - electric cars are the future.

“We also have solar panels on the roof so the charging points will be powered by Walney sunshine - how amazing is that? 

“We want to encourage as many people as possible to use the charging point. 

“It’s for the whole community and not just guests who stay here.”