Sweet deal as city tourist site sold for £2.2m

The building in Kings Square in York, which is home to York’s Sweet Story, was sold by Oakgate Group to a private family investor.

The 8,650sq ft building, which includes four levels of retail space, is let to Continuum Group, which owns the visitor attraction, and St Pauls Bookshop, which is a separate business.

York City Council plans to carry out £500,000 of re-paving work in Kings Square to enhance the area.

David Waterhouse of York-based Waterhouse Commercial Surveyors, who completed the deal, said: “Having supported Oakgate Group on a number of investment transactions totalling approximately £12m, we were confident of securing a sale, particularly as we are aware of a number of requirements for city centre property investments.

“In an economic climate which is still in recovery mode, demand for retail/tourist properties in York remain strong, with over seven million visitors to the city each year.”

Waterhouse Commercial Surveyors works with both regional and national clients, specialising in investment, retail agency, asset management and professional services.

The firm also completed a deal with Sainsbury’s Supermarkets, its third deal with the food retailer, at Queens House, Micklegate, York.

The deal included the amalgamation of three shops into one retail unit of 4,770 sq ft and the relocation of the two existing tenants. The building is also home to the York office of law firm Langleys Solicitors.

Waterhouse has already concluded two other deals with Sainsbury’s close to the city centre on Bootham and Blossom Street in York.

Mr Waterhouse said: “We enjoy a good working relationship with Sainsbury’s and we were aware that they had been looking for some time to acquire a major retail unit in Micklegate.”