Own your own business in Yorkshire’s movie-star village
Goathland near Whitby is known to many Harry Potter fans as home to Hogsmead Station.
And although time has passed since it was on television, fans of Heartbeat still flock to the village which played the role of Aidensfield in the popular series.
Now the village’s store, café and gift shop – all under one roof – has hit the market, offering a spellbinding chance for a new owner to take over running a really profitable business in one of North Yorkshire’s most popular spots.
The village’s celebrity status has made it a ‘must see’ destination for thousands of movie and television fans, while the area is often packed with walkers exploring the beauty of the North Yorkshire National Park.
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway line, which every year carries 250,000 people – and is a magnet for fans of the young magician – also brings crowds of visitors to Goathland.
As a result, there’s a constant flow of people nipping into the busy village shop to buy gifts, outdoor clothing, treats or to stop for coffee and cake at the cosy café.
As a result, the business is doing remarkably well, making it even more attractive for new owners.
As well as a thriving business, there are two self-contained apartments included; a four-bedroomed home that’s ideal for a family, and a one-bedroom flat that could be a ‘granny’ flat, space for an older teen or provide additional income.
The shop, café and accommodation are only being sold because current owners Andrew and Gail Fiddler have other businesses outside of the village which require their attention.
Andrew said: “Goathland is an incredibly popular village thanks to the Heartbeat and Harry Potter connections, but also because it is in a beautiful part of the country with Whitby right on the doorstep.
“We’ve run the business for 13 years and seen it develop significantly in that time.
“The Heartbeat and Harry Potter connections have seen the village become increasingly popular – we regularly have buses packed with people coming to visit.”
The substantial-sized freehold premises features a double retail unit including the coffee shop which can seat up to 40 people and features a gleaming two station coffee machine.
But it could easily be expanded to open longer hours, and to operate in the evenings as the area’s only bistro – offering extra income for the new owners.
The well-stocked gift shop and outdoor clothing section of the business has its own main street entrance and lots of space to show off stock or introduce new lines.
While the other element of the business is a busy gifts shop with many unique objects, and an off-licence area where local self-catering and caravan holidaymakers can stock up.
The upstairs accommodation is currently rented to staff who run the business on the owners’ behalf, but there’s scope for new owners to move in and enjoy the benefits of living and working in the heart of the countryside.
The views from the upstairs windows alone are stunning.
With a lovely primary school in the village and good senior schools just a short journey away, the business and home could be ideal for a growing family seeking the freedom and safety of such a beautiful spot.
The business is being sold through Leeds-based business specialists Ernest Wilson.
Robert Williamson said: “This is a really rare opportunity to acquire this highly profitable coffee shop/café and gift shop in the much sought after area of Goathland.
“This is a highly profitable concern – very rarely do properties of this calibre reach the open market.
“The potential in the café alone is unbelievable.”
Whoever takes over will have the chance to enjoy all the benefits of countryside living with a superb business – so interest is going to be high.
To view the business and find out more about the vast range of superb businesses currently being offered for sale through Ernest Wilson, go to www.ernestwilson.co.uk