A Cockermouth business which was flooded in November held its Christmas party last night.

Strolling4Shoes, on the town’s Main Street, had a party at the reopened Trout Hotel, which was also hit by the floods.

The shoe retailer always holds its staff Christmas party and awards night at the Trout just before Christmas, but was unable to go ahead with it last year.

At last night’s get-together, six awards were given out to members of staff from its five shops around Cumbria.

The award for manager of the year was won by Gillian Wilson, of the Keswick branch, branch of the year was Bowness, person of the year was Jean Gilpin, of the Cockermouth branch, employee of the year was Emma Morgan, of the Crosby office, biggest sale of the year was by Orlena Brough, of the Penrith branch, and display of the year was won by the Penrith branch.

Strolling4Shoes, which operated a mobile shop at village halls while its premises were being refurbished, reopened on Main Street in April.

The store has been given a new Georgian-style shop front, sign and window.

Andrew Marshall, of Strolling 4 Shoes, said: “I flatly refused for the event to be cancelled but said it would be postponed until the Trout reopened.

“There was no way we were going to allow the hotel to miss trade just because of the flood.”

The Trout team arranged a Christmas menu with all the trimmings, crackers and a Christmas tree.

Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk
Thursday, 24 June 2010