Today marks the launch of Trader of the Week, a new regular News & Star feature, which each week will shine a spotlight on the best independent shops, bars, cafes and venues in Carlisle and beyond.

Taking centre stage for this first week is Keith Tattersall, who having largely taught himself how to become chocolatier using the internet is now running a thriving city centre luxury chocolate business, Castle Chocolates.

Selling a variety of locally produced chocolates, truffles and fudges, much of what is on offer at Castle Chocolates is made in store, in front of customers.

“This is not only an experience, as a lot of people have never seen chocolates being made but also shows people how fresh our product is,” Keith said.

Opening in September last year, Keith said running Castle Chocolates has been a “fantastic experience so far”.

“The wonderful people of Cumbria surprised me with how much they love chocolate and I’ve been working hard to keep up with them,” he said.

“Putting a smile on the faces of my customers makes the work worthwhile.”

While Keith is certainly proud of everything on offer at Castle Chocolates, there is one chocolate he recommends that has a personal meaning.

“Our Lemon Crunch which is a very personal chocolate to me and my family is selling fantastically.

“This chocolate is inspired by a Lemon Crunch cheesecake my Aunty Jacky used to make for every Christmas and family gathering and we would all fight over who got the biggest piece of.

“Unfortunately, Jacky passed away in 2018, after a long battle with cancer.

“She lives on every time I make and serve this chocolate.”

Keith continues to innovate, having recently developed a “Galaxy range” of chocolates.

“This is a new range of chocolates all made using coloured cocoa butter which let us create chocolates that are not only delicious, but works of art.”

Keith is proud to be one of the recent additions to Carlisle’s independent retail scene.

“Having small independent retailers on Carlisle’s high street is immensely important,” he said

“Small, independent businesses will go to other local businesses and tradespeople for work or supplies, which doesn’t always happen with the national chains.

“When a customer spends money in Castle Chocolates, that money is used within our Cumbrian economy.

“And there isn’t another chocolate shop like ours anywhere in the world, and that’s pretty special.”