A MIDWIFERY lecturer determined on championing the very best of Cumbria has opened a shop showcasing the county’s immeasurable talent.

Paula Brown has lived in Ulverston for the past ten years after moving to the area to work at the hospital.

A midwifery lecturer at the University of Cumbria, Mrs Brown loved the sense of community Ulverston had to offer and wanted to open a shop which championed the best of the county.

18 months ago, she began looking for a premises to open a shop for locals and tourists which stocks products made in Cumbria.

And on Saturday, that idea became a reality as she swung open the doors to ‘The Cumbria Way’ on Ulverston’s Upper Brook Street.

She said: “Ulverston is such an amazing place.

“There is such a good sense of community spirit.

“I have noticed over the years there are more and more tourists coming to Ulverston.

“We already have some lovely independent shops but I saw a gap in the market for a shop that showcases the best our local area has to offer.

“I had the idea about 18 months ago to open a tourist shop and waited until the right premises came up.”

The shop sells Shed 1 Gin, Crakeside sausage and bacon, products from Ulverston Brewery, Plumgarth sausages, Kendal minkate, Kendal gingerbread, Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding, handmade animals by Hanne crank, gifts, toys, walking maps, books and more.

Mrs Brown also plans on eventually opening a visitor information hub at the shop in the future.

“We wanted to showcase local talent and products – there’s some amazing stuff,” she said.

“It’s basically championing everything local, we wanted to steer clear of bigger companies.

“There’s so many good products locally that we can stock.”

The shop’s name – which refers to the popular walking route starting at the Gill  – is also indicative of doing things the ‘Cumbrian way’ and showing what the county is about.

Mrs Brown plans on continuing her lecturing while running the shop at the weekends.

Her daughter Sarah is taking the reins from Monday to Friday.