Excellent Potential to Extend Hours & Increase Revenue
Wonderful Lifestyle Business Opportunity
Description
The Mill Race Tea Shop occupies a superb trading position within the historic Yore Mill, ideally located close to the renowned Aysgarth Falls in the heart of Wensleydale.
Aysgarth Falls has drawn visitors for over 200 years, celebrated for its natural beauty and famously admired by figures such as William Wordsworth, J.M.W. Turner and John Ruskin. More recently, it featured in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, further cementing its status as a well-known tourist destination. Positioned just off the A684 between Leyburn and Hawes, the area benefits from strong passing trade throughout the year.
This is a charming and long-established traditional tea room, trading from this location since the 1980s and operated by the current owners since 2016.
The business is currently run on limited opening hours to suit the owners' lifestyle, presenting clear scope for a new owner to extend trading hours and further increase turnover and profitability. Although currently operated on limited hours, the business generates a strong turnover of £214,537 for the year ended 26th April 2024, with a net profit of £14,568.
The business is profitable as it stands, and could earn more if a hands-on owner extended the opening hours.
The tea shop itself enjoys an enviable position overlooking the upper falls, offering a truly unique setting that naturally attracts visitors. The premises form part of Yore Mill, a characterful building dating back to 1784, formerly used as a cotton, woollen and corn mill.
Internally, the property is full of charm, featuring exposed beams and a striking stone archway. The ground floor provides a welcoming tea room with seating for 18+ covers, along with a retail area and a well-equipped catering kitchen. To the lower ground floor is a large storeroom together with ladies' and gents' WC facilities.
Overall, this is an excellent opportunity to acquire an established business in a highly sought-after and picturesque location within the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Ground Floor
Porch
Entrance porch leading through into the main tea room.
Retail Area
Fitted carpet. Beamed ceiling. A welcoming serving area with a glazed display counter to one side. Fitted cabinetry with a service point leading through to the main tea room. Ample space for fridges. Shelved alcove. Windows to side rear.
Tea Room
A spacious and characterful tea room with seating for 18+ covers, featuring exposed beams, vaulted ceiling and archway. Radiator. Windows to the side elevation with a mix of freestanding tables and chairs creating a warm and welcoming dining space. Staircase leading to lower ground and access to kitchen.
Kitchen
A well-equipped catering kitchen fitted with stainless steel work surfaces, providing ample preparation space. Storage units and shelving, suitable for day-to-day service requirements. Window to rear. Fire exit to side.
Lower Ground Floor
Hallway
Turned staircase. Fitted carpet. Built in cupboard. Window to rear.
WC
Separate ladies' and gents' WC facilities.
Store Room
Tiled flooring. Strip lighting. Providing ample space for storage, including shelving, refrigeration units and additional catering equipment. Small window to the rear. Offering excellent potential to be converted into an additional food preparation area, with the benefit of three-phase electric already in place.
Outside
Externally, the property has a charming stone frontage with a raised entrance accessed via stone steps and a timber gate, complemented by planted pots and wall-mounted planters. There is no on-site parking; however, parking is available at the National Park car park (DL8 3TH), with a short footpath leading to the tea shop. For those with mobility needs, drop-off is possible directly outside.
Leasehold Agreement
The property is held on a leasehold basis, with the current lease running from 21st September 2023 to 14th June 2032, with approximately 6 years remaining. A tenant break clause is in place on 15th June 2026, providing additional flexibility for the incoming occupier, subject to the lease terms.
Accounts Information
Although currently operated on limited hours, the business generates a strong turnover of £214,537 for the year ended 26th April 2024, with a net profit of £14,568.
The business is profitable as it stands, and could earn more if a hands-on owner extended the opening hours.
Full accounts are available upon request.
Services
Stock available by separate negotiation (approximately £2,000).
Broadband: 20 Mbps.
Flood Risk: Low – no known history of flooding.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Checks
Should a purchaser(s) have an offer accepted on a property marketed by J.R. Hopper & Co., they will need to undertake an AML check. We require this to meet our obligation under AML regulations and it is a legal requirement. We use a specialist third party service, provided by Lifetime Legal, to verify your identity. The cost of these checks is £60 (including VAT) per purchase, payable in advance directly to Lifetime Legal, when an offer is agreed and prior to a sales memorandum being issued. This charge is non-refundable under any circumstances.
If you have any questions or wish to arrange a viewing of this property
