Nearly 10 years ago, Val Armstrong had an idea.

She was visiting the grave of a friend with her late mother, Olive at Carlisle’s Richardson Street cemetery. Afterwards, both Val and her mum wanted to grab a cup of tea – but there was nowhere to go.

But yesterday Val officially opened Gatehouse Cafe at the entrance to the cemetery offering much more than that elusive cuppa.

“It was about eight or nine years ago that we first had the idea,” Val, who is a presenter for BBC Radio Cumbria, said.

“After we’d been to visit the grave, we both wanted a cup of tea and to use the loo. That was when I thought ‘What this place needs is a cafe!’

“About two years ago we were again visiting a grave and we noticed that a cafe had opened up. While I was pleased for them, I always thought ‘That should’ve been ours’.

“Sadly I lost mum earlier this year but in May a friend was looking for property. We were searching websites and I saw this place come up and immediately thought ‘We have to buy it!’”

Val put together a business plan and got in touch with friends and family to see if they were on board with the idea and help to run it. “I own the property, but my nephew’s partner, Becky Holland, is also involved,” Val said.

“I’ve also got my sister-in-law, nieces and friends involved – there’s 10 of us who have sat the food handling course.”

As well as hot drinks, the cafe will be offering a range of different foods. “We’ll have snacks. We’ve also bought a proper oven to do baked potatoes as well,” Val added. “We’ll have soups and there’ll be quite a few home-baked things as well as a specials board.”

The premises has also been granted permission to sell flowers.

“That part of it will be known as Olive Blossom, as a tribute to mum,” she said.

Val, who will combine running the cafe with her radio work, explained that its location takes on extra significance as it is in a part of Carlisle that means so much to her.

“I grew up just down the road in Morton,” she said. “When I was 16 and sitting my exams, it’s where I’d go to revise.

“When I’ve twice recovered from breast cancer, it’s where I’d go to walk and reflect. I know it seems strange but I think it’s the case for a lot of people.

“I’ve been at the BBC for the past 34 years so I’m entitled to long service leave, which means I’m doing three days a week. By the time I’ve taken that and gone up to five days, it’ll be up and running and I won’t have to be there all the time.”