Shoppers can enjoy a view of the Lakeland fells from the hot tub

A Lake District outdoor retailer is urging customers to pack their swimming costumes when they next visit the store.

George Fisher is offering a hot tub with a view this week at its Keswick premises with the opening of an attraction more associated with California than Cumbria.

The American-designed hot tub has been built into a new roof platform next to the shop’s Abraham’s Cafe, looking out across Derwent Water towards Cat Bells, and is designed to help its customers relax in a unique situation after a long day on the fells.

Director Andy Airey said: “Many of our customers will come into the store after a long walk and pop straight upstairs to the cafe.

“They often comment about the great view, so it seemed a logical step to offer a new, relaxing experience they can’t get anywhere else.”

The hot tub has been designed to operate year-round, though Mr Airey expects it will be most popular during the summer months.

“Hopefully you’ll be able to just turn up and jump in, but if it proves particularly popular we may have to look at introducing an online booking system”, he said. “We also plan to add a webcam so people can check how busy it is before they take the plunge.”

Modern hot tubs were first introduced in the United States in the 1940s, inspired by a Japanese concept.

Temperature in Keswick today is forecast to be a balmy 12C but cloudy; in Los Angeles bathers can expect 19C with a couple of showers.