Village shop in Addingham could be a live-work dream

When Jill Atkinson bought 140 Main Street, Addingham, in 2004, she was keenly aware of its historical importance and its place in the community.

The shop with living accommodation above had belonged to Miss Phyllis Roe and had been in her family for 90 years, spanning two generations.

“It is a magical place and Miss Roe was a wonderful character. She was in her late eighties when I bought the shop from her and even then she had opened it every day that she could. It sold everything from wool to children’s clothing. She still stocked spats from before the war, that children wore between their breeches and boots,” says Jill, who turned the shop into a popular store selling everything from gifts to homeware and fashion.

“We wanted to keep Miss Roe’s ethos of it being an oasis where everyone was welcome. We named it The Olive Branch, kept and restored the original shop fittings and filled it with beautiful things. We kept a theme from its history by selling items like wool and wellies

“The shop was a haven and brought much happiness and friendship. It is my wish that it remains at the heart of Addingham village life and it remains a loved ‘go-to’ place.”

The property could be perfect for someone looking for a live-work home. It has a ground floor shop area with an extensive range of fitted drawers and shelves, along with a large wooden counter. There are two sizeable windows to the front elevation and a door leading onto Main Street and an additional room at the rear.

On the lower ground floor, there are two rooms, a storeroom and a cloakroom. The apartment is set over two floors. The first floor has a sitting room, kitchen and bathroom and the second floor has a bedroom and en-suite cloakroom.

Outside to the front of the property there is a flagged area and a further flagged area and store to the rear.

Jill has come up with a good idea for the shop’s future use. She says: “There are so many possibilities for the shop but I think it could become a great cafe/shop. It would be the perfect place for walkers on the Dalesway to stop off for a coffee and sourdough bread topped with smashed avocado and splashed with balsamic.”

*For more details contact Dale Eddison, Ilkley, tel: 01943 817642, www.daleeddison.co.uk

*Addingham is a popular village close to Ilkley and on the doorstep of the Yorkshire Dales. It is surrounded by beautiful countryside and has shops, a post office, dental surgery, GP surgery, a primary school and pubs/restaurants. There is a railway station in Ilkley with links to Leeds and Bradford.