First look inside new Carlisle café The Buttered Cat

The Buttered Cat is set to be officially opened on Tuesday, March 5 by owner Andrew 'Jabba' Davenport. 

This comes five months after the cafe, which will open in the unit previously occupied by I Love Cafe in Carlisle's Kinmont Arcade, was announced by the owner of popular businesses Get Modified and Get Pierced.

The cafe has outdoor seating which overlooks Kinmont Arcade. (Image: Matthew O'Hara/NQ)

On Friday, March 1 the News & Star was invited for an exclusive first look inside the cafe as Andrew, alongside his baristas Laura Brown and Marisa Crane, prepare the new spot for its grand opening. 

The cafe has also partnered with a number of local businesses in order to source its sweet treats with cakes and other snacks coming from Blondie Brownie House, ice cream from English Lakes, and coffee from Bruce N Lukes, which is also available to buy in-store. 

Ahead of the cafe's grand opening, Andrew reflected on all the work that has gone into bringing his vision for The Buttered Cat to life. 

Barista Marisa Crane hard at work prepping the café for its grand opening next week. (Image: Matthew O'Hara/NQ)

He said: "It's hard to believe that it has come to fruition after all that time.

"It's not just been me... we have had electricians, builders, joiners, everyone has grafted.

"It has 100 per cent been a team effort, maybe my idea but it wouldn't be a thing without everybody's help.

"It is better than I thought it was going to be, we are super happy with how it has turned out.

The Buttered Cat's menu (Image: Matthew O'Hara/NQ)

"I think Tuesday will be insane, the messages we have had on social media, the shares, all of that has been almost overwhelming. It started as a silly idea I had a couple of months ago and now it is a fully working coffee shop so I am really really happy."

Andrew also explained how The Buttered Cat has been embraced by the Kinmont Arcade community and how he is hoping the cafe can assimilate into this community. 

"We have a 10 per cent local discount on the till so if anybody from, for example, Ashbridge and Brown, wants a coffee they can because they are helping bring trade to my shop.

"Some people who go to Ashbridge and Brown or Namh Moon might want a coffee and vice versa. You have got to give a bit back and it will be interesting to see how it goes.

Behind the counter. (Image: Matthew O'Hara/NQ)

"Everyone has been so supportive, Flutter and Fern, the tattoo shop next door, and even the Arches cafe at the end, they are all behind us and there is a really good sense of community within the arcade."