Iconic £2m Yorkshire attraction has price slashed to £100k – but there’s a catch
The replica HM Bark Endeavour in Whitby is now on sale at £100,000 (Image: Pic supplied)
The selling price of an iconic Whitby tourist attraction has been slashed in price because it has to move out of town.
The replica of Captain Cook's HM Bark Endeavour, moored in Whitby Harbour, is on the market after its current owners went into liquidation.
The 33-metre long vessel is one of only two replicas in the world, with the other currently located alongside the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney.
The vessel was built in Stockton on Tees in the early 1990s and arrived in Whitby in June 2018 following extensive conversion works at a reported cost of about £1.2 million.
It initially operated as an education-based attraction before being sold in 2022 and repurposed as a themed bar and restaurant venue, trading as The Whitby Endeavour.
Sadly, the company behind it, Whitby Endeavour Limited, went into liquidation in April, following a petition to wind up the business.
The business has now closed and prior to the closure, the restaurant received a one-star food hygiene rating from North Yorkshire Council.
Barnsley-based Gibson Booth has been appointed to sell off assets and distribute the funds raised by their sale.
Edward Wetton, of Gibson Booth, who is acting as liquidator, told the Press that the liquidation is “progressing” but he could not say how large the debts were from the liquidation and it may take until next May for reports to be published on it.
The replica HM Bark Endeavour in Whitby is now on sale at £100,000
(Image: Pic supplied)
Mr Wetton confirmed that property company Sanderson Weatherall is marketing the replica vessel.
He said: “But we haven’t had much interest. We are having to move the boat from the dock. That’s creating the problem.”
The vessel cost £2.5 million to build in the 1990s but in 2017, it was sold at auction for £155,000, which was before its extensive £1.2 million conversion.
In recent years, the vessel has been on the market for £1.5 million from one company and £2 million from another.
Located in Whitby town centre immediately adjacent to the near-completed Whitby Maritime Hub, Sanderson Weatherall says the steel-built vessel provides two fully equipped bars to the main and lower decks, full catering kitchen facilities and open, top deck area.
In total, it comprises 120 dining covers internally and in excess of 70 seats on the top deck.
Leeds-based Starling Corporate, which is marketing the vessel for £2 million several years ago, said: “Financially, the Whitby Endeavour benefits from low overheads due to being exempt from business rates and having very fair mooring fees at £1,800 per calendar month in its current location of Whitby Harbour.
“We are advised that during the season, the bar alone generates revenue that exceeds £10,000 per day."
However, in May, following the liquidation, Jamie Keith and Neil Bestwick in Sanderson Weatherall's Leeds office, began “inviting offers for the asset.”
Jamie has since told The Press: “The price has dropped to £100,000 because the local authority doesn’t want it in Whitby anymore. The business has failed a couple of times. Unfortunately, it will have to be towed from Whitby. It’s not a Whitby tourist attraction.”
Jamie added: “We are being more aggressive with the guide price. We have had interest but obviously the challenge for someone is there’s going to be costs associated with moving it.
“But considering what it previously sold for, it’s a good buy for someone if they have alternative accommodation.”
Anyone interest in the vessel is asked to contact Jamie Keith on 01642 426900 or email Jamie.keith@sw.co.uk