Ford Street, Moretonhampstead, Devon

A charming and highly successful café, tearoom, and ice cream parlour set within the heart of the Devon countryside, offering a beautifully presented outdoor garden seating area to the front, together with a substantial covered dining space for year-round trading. Internally, the property boasts an atmospheric vaulted first-floor dining area, while the ground floor comprises the main servery, kitchen facilities, and customer and staff toilets to the rear. In addition, there is a partially refurbished former two-storey barn, currently utilised for dry storage, with access leading to a large rear garden and rear entrance. Freehold opportunities of this quality and character are rarely available on the open market.

The café, tearoom, and ice cream parlour is situated within the desirable countryside town of Moretonhampstead, Devon is a thriving and vibrant community renowned for its independent shops, traditional pubs, village stores, and post office. The town also benefits from pre-school and primary school facilities, with secondary education available nearby in Ashburton and Okehampton.

The area is particularly well known for its artisan and craft community, historic granite architecture, and as a principal gateway to the stunning Dartmoor National Park. The city of Exeter is also within easy reach, offering a world-renowned university, international airport, direct rail connections to London Paddington, and convenient access to the M5 motorway network.

The business was established from scratch and has proven highly successful from the outset. It is currently operated with ease by two persons, with the potential requirement for an additional member of staff during peak trading periods when the weather is favourable and the garden area is fully occupied. In the opinion of the agents, there is considerable scope to further develop the business by expanding into evening trading and maximising the benefit of the existing liquor licence. It trades with the name of ‘Baskervilles’ and full trading accounts will be made available following a successful formal viewing, and a comprehensive handover period will be provided to ensure a smooth transition and the continued success of the business.

Accommodation Comprises (Briefly)
Access is gained through attractive stone wall entrances on either side leading to the:

Outside Dining Area
A truly special al fresco dining space providing approximately 55–60 covers across 13 tables and chairs. Many tables benefit from parasols, while the seating is both comfortable and well presented. The garden area has been finished with high-quality artificial grass, ensuring an attractive appearance all year round with minimal maintenance, regardless of weather conditions.

Covered Outside Area
A substantial commercial powder-coated steel structure with side curtains, providing excellent shelter during inclement weather and welcome shade during warmer summer months. Doors lead to:

Indoor Servery Area
5.39m x 3.69m
Designed for efficient customer flow during busy trading periods, the servery benefits from both entrance and exit doors. Features include a gelato refrigeration display counter, seating area, beverage and food order counter, high-volume three-group cappuccino machine with grinder, EPOS till system, two under-counter stainless steel fridges, together with an extensive range of equipment to support smooth day-to-day operations.

Kitchen
3.17m x 2.66m
A professionally fitted commercial kitchen comprising:
Commercial dishwasher
Tabletop turbo convection oven

Commercial microwave
True refrigeration units
Induction hob
Freestanding stainless-steel sink and drainer
Shelving and storage
Refrigerated preparation stations with marble preparation surfaces
The kitchen further benefits from sealed vinyl flooring, hygienic wall coverings, two large Velux windows, and rear access.

First Floor

Dining Area
5.34m x 5.27m
A delightful, vaulted ceiling dining room full of charm and atmosphere, offering comfortable fixed bench seating alongside individual tables and chairs for approximately 24 additional covers.
This versatile space is regularly utilised for meetings, presentations, and private functions, in addition to everyday customer dining.

Customer Toilets
Located to the rear of the premises and accessed via a side walkway, the customer facilities include a disabled-compliant WC, wash hand basin, and hand dryer.

Staff Toilet
Positioned immediately to the rear of the kitchen and comprising WC, wash hand basin, and hand dryer facilities.

Barn / Storage / Outside
5.47m x 3.19m
A former two-storey barn, currently reduced to single-storey use and utilised for large chest freezers and general dry storage.
In the opinion of the agents, there is considerable potential to redevelop the barn back to its original two-storey configuration, potentially creating owner’s accommodation, subject to the necessary planning permissions.
To the rear of the barn is an attractive doorway leading to a substantial rear garden with separate rear access.

BUSINESS WEBSITE


OPENING TIMES
Summer times are below but winter times do vary.
Monday to Sunday 10 am – 4pm

Stock
Stock to be taken following exchange and prior to completion. A full inventory will be provided before exchange of contracts.

Services
Mains electricity, water, and drainage are connected. No testing of these services has been undertaken by the agents, Ware Commercial.

Business Rates
Interested parties are advised to make their own enquiries via the VOA website:
VOA Business Rates Information
The business currently benefits from 100% business rates relief.

Tenure
Freehold

Viewings
All viewings and enquiries are strictly through the agents Ware Commercial
Telephone: or
Email:
Ware Commercial