A BUSINESS owner has expressed her gratitude to customers who supported a new pop-up shop in Carlisle.

Helen Graham, of The Tipsy Filly & Co, along with her good friends Ryan Casson, of the Tiny Little Houseplant Shop, and Edna Graham, who upcycles vintage furniture, took up residence in Paternoster Row, in Carlisle’s Historic Quarter on December 12.

Helen’s mum died, aged 61, this time last year and after the support her family received from Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland, she wanted to give something back.

The shop is selling a collection of upcycled vintage furniture in aid of the hospice, as well as handcrafted gin, houseplants and linens.

“The hospice were really kind with us and I’ll never forget it.

“A night of nursing care costs £167 and in my mind, it’s nothing for us to raise that. It just dead important and its a really nice thing to do.

“Everything we are doing is for the hospice. It’s been incredibly busy and I’m just so grateful.”

The three friends are trading for a final day today, from 10am - 4pm, and hope to sell off any remaining pieces to raise as much money as possible for the hospice. It has so far raised £1,400.

Helen said the support had been “fantastic”.

“The people of Carlisle have really supported us. We were chocker at the weekend and it started to get busier again mid-week. Everyone that has come in wants to shop local.

“People have just loved our quirky, retro-wear and antiques. There are some lovely things,” she said.

Helen started her business in 2017 after transforming a horse box into a mobile bar, to be hired for weddings, festivals and events. She also offers cocktail masterclasses and have launched her own gin.

This year Helen had 91 events cancelled and moved her business online selling hampers of her Saddle Up and Giddy Up gins and conducting masterclasses online via zoom and Teams.

The pop-up shop is housed in the new headquarters of Carlisle PR firm Intro, which plans to welcome a different shop or exhibition in its ground floor space each month.