Iconic Devon cafe goes on the market for £55,000

A Devon cafe in a historic "iconic" premises is on the market. The site of The Pharmacy Café was - as the name suggests - a pharmacy dating back to 1877.

It was opened in 1877 by John Biddings who dispensed "pills, potions and posh perfumes" to the general public. The cafe still has its original decorative frontage along with its mosaic-tiled floor and cabinets inside.

The leasehold of the business in Queen Street, Newton Abbott, is being advertised for sale through Bettesworths for £55,000. It says the cafe, which seats 36, is currently open from 9am-4pm Monday to Saturday offering a range of breakfasts and sandwiches, soups and jacket potatoes alongside homemade scones, cream teas and cakes.

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A brochure advertising the sale said: "The Pharmacy Café is located within an iconic premises. The original pharmacy was opened in 1877 by John Biddings who dispensed ‘pills, potions and posh perfumes’ to the general public.

"The original decorative frontage remains along with the mosaic tiled floor, which was fitted by Italian craftsmen, and the Honduras mahogany cabinets which housed the many pills and potions."

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The cafe - comprising a ground floor cafe area, commercial kitchen and first-floor function room - is said to be in a "thriving area of Newton Abbot offering a variety of occupiers" including independent retailers, restaurants & takeaways, health & beauty businesses and offices.

The new tenant will need to pay a rent of £19,500 a year, with the property agents saying: "We have been informed the Landlord will grant a new lease to the ingoing tenant subject to satisfactory references and rent deposit."

The brochure says the function room has the "potential to provide extra café capacity, and/or private functions and parties". It said the cafe is currently operated by two "hands-on owners" with the assistance of six part-time staff and last year turned over around £150,000.

Find out more HERE.