The Poorhouse café in Great Ayton sold to new owners

The Poorhouse – located in a Grade II listed building on the village’s high street – hit the market earlier this year with a £75,000 price tag. 

The popular café, which has been trading for more than six years, serves pastries and cakes during the day and turns into a bar at night serving tipples and stone-baked pizzas. 

The historic venue was only put on the market in January – and agent Parker Barras has this week confirmed that the venue has been sold. 

The café’s name is a nod to its former use as a poorhouse, which was a publicly funded institution to house elderly, sick or orphaned people. 

Before that, it was a school that Captain Cook attended.

The navigator and explorer, who was born in Marton, Middlesbrough, in 1728, moved to Great Ayton with his family when he was a child.

The village is said to be where Captain Cook developed his fascination for the sea, as he would climb to the top of Roseberry Topping and be inspired by the stretching coastline.

Parker Barras said: “It is with great pleasure that we can announced that The Poorhouse in Great Ayton has been sold by Parker Barras. 

“A huge congratulations to the new owners who are taking over this fantastic business which has been operating in the village for over six years.

“To the previous owners, Cherie and Michael, we wish you the best and hope you enjoy spending some more time with family, and perhaps a nice well deserved holiday.

“If you or somebody you know is looking to sell their business, put them in touch with our team today.”