The future of a Carlisle café is in doubt because the lease on the building where it is based is not being renewed.

Coffee Genius on St Cuthbert’s Lane won Best City Café for the fourth year out of five at last week’s Carlisle Living Awards.

Lynn Steadman, who owns the café, said: “We are not renewing the lease. Staff are aware of that and we are looking for other premises.”

Mrs Steadman said the café had been open for five years.

She said: “I think its success is down to the fact that we do proper coffee. We have a loyal clientele and excellent staff.”

At the awards last week, one customer praised the “advice for the novice” service offered by the café and another said: “Everyone makes you feel welcome and you know it’s a great place by the amount of regulars.”

St Cuthbert’s Lane, where Coffee Genius is situated, is part of the Crown & Mitre Estate.

The particulars of the lease, which is being advertised through chartered surveyors Carigiet Cowen say: “Most recently utilised as a café, but suitable for a variety of uses.

“The coffee shop has an attractive double fronted unit, offering an extensive Georgian style glazed frontage with pleasant views of St Cuthbert’s Church orchard.”

The lease is available from January 2019.

Prior to it becoming a coffee shop, the building was once home to The Anchorage – a pensioner’s cafe.

Management made the heartbreaking decision to close the cafe in 2010 because of spiralling utility bills and the increasing cost of food.

The entire contents of the cafe were put up for auction including tables, chairs, pictures and equipment.