By Patrick Hill

Last updated 18:42, Tuesday, 13 May 2008

CARLISLE’s newest coffee shop Starbucks opened its doors for the first time on Friday.

The two-storey Scotch Street store was opened by acting manager Paul Taylor, with an acoustic band from Middlesbrough entertaining customers.

Starbucks was given the go-ahead to open the store in March and says it has created around 14 new jobs.

Mr Taylor said: “It’s been very busy. I don’t know what it is but people in Carlisle seem to love the frappucinos, we’ve been selling loads.”

Starbucks, which was founded in Seattle in 1971, now has more than 15,000 stores – including more than 500 in Britain – in 44 countries worldwide.

It is planning to let musicians perform on Thursday evenings and customers will soon be able to use wireless internet.