The Business - I Love Café
The established business moved to St Cuthberts Lane in 2023, following being located from Kinmont Arcade in Carlisle between 2013 and 2023.

The relocation has allowed the business to broaden it's offerings and become one of the established, best known and most vibrant cafes within Carlisle's city centre. The success is demonstrated by regular busy periods on all opening days and increasing turnover figures year on year for the business.

Currently the business solely runs as a daytime cafe. However the opportunity carries potential to expand in to evening trade, licensed premises and private parties.

The owners are looking to sell the business due to various changes in personal circumstances. As part of a sale, the owners are happy to facilitate a short handover period by agreement.

As part of a sale of the business, some current staff are happy to discuss staying on under new ownership.

St Cuthbert's Lane is part of the Crown & Mitre Estate, a Grade II listed property consisting of a 94-bed hotel and 11 retail units.

I Love Café within 20-21 St Cuthbert's Lane is an attractive end of terrace double fronted unit, offering a double extensive Georgian style glazed frontage with pleasant views of St Cuthbert's Church orchard adjacent.

Internally the accommodation is laid out in a rectangular format with open plan customer seating area and sales counter. Additionally a spacious kitchen area to the rear is fully equipped with appliances to serve a varied hot and cold menu. Separate male, female and disabled WCs are installed.

The unit benefits from outdoor seating immediately to the front of the premises.


Location

Carlisle is the predominant population and commercial centre for Cumbria and a large part of southwest Scotland, with a resident population of over 108,000 drawing on a wider catchment of over 380,000.

The city is the principal administrative and retail centre for the area, drawing on the surrounding towns of Workington, Whitehaven and Dumfries.

St Cuthbert's Lane is well positioned between English Street and Blackfriars Street. The property sits adjacent to various independent retailers including Casanova and Salon Elysee, as well as having close proximity to Marks & Spencer Foodhall, Tesco Express, Bordo Lounge and the recently opened Sostrene Grene within the former House of Fraser building which sits immediately opposite I Love Café.


Accommodation

This property has been measured and extends to the following approximate areas:

Terms

Sale Price
Offers in the region of £95,000 are invited for the business to include trade name, social media followings, fixtures and fittings, stock and goodwill.

Lease Terms
Available by way of an assignment or sub-lease at a passing rent of £12,000 per annum exclusive until March 2028 with no rent reviews and within the landlord and tenant act 1954. Alternatively, a new lease direct from the landlord may be considered.


Services

The property is connected to mains water, electricity and drainage.


Business Rates

The Valuation Office Agency website describes the property as café and premises with a 2023 List Rateable Value of £11,000. The Small Business Non-Domestic multiplier for the 2025/2026 rate year is 49.9p in the £. 

*** 100% BUSINESS RATES RELIEF ***


Planning

We understand the property holds planning permission under Use Class E.


EPC

The property benefits from an EPC showing an Energy Performance Asset rating of C-52.


VAT

We understand VAT is payable on the rent. As the business is being sold as a TOGC, VAT will not be payable on the business premium.