(Image: Barry Crux & Co)
Coffee shops, cafes, and ice cream parlours are in hot demand across York.
The trend is being driven by the city’s booming visitor economy, according to a city-based property agency.
Andrew Spencer, agency director at Barry Crux & Company, said: "Coffee shops are more popular than ever and have become in very high demand in York in particular.
"If one becomes available within the city walls, I can confidently say that it will attract a lot of interest, and usually it doesn’t take long to agree a sale."
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He said York’s status as a major tourist destination is fuelling "very high demand" for food and drink businesses, with buyers eager to secure a spot in the city.
Mr Spencer said: "They are the kinds of businesses which can generate good turnover and profit due to the thriving tourism trade in York."
Barry Crux & Company, which has long specialised in the sale and purchase of pubs, hotels, and B&Bs throughout North Yorkshire, has seen rising interest in coffee shops and cafes, especially in York.
Mr Spencer says that, despite the heavy competition, he would not be surprised to see the percentage of food and drink outlets in the city continue to grow.
This is helped by the freedom offered by converting class E properties from retail and office spaces into coffee shops, restaurants and cafés, often without the need for planning permission if not in an area of outstanding natural beauty, or a national park.
Mr Spencer said: "We’ve done some deals recently which really reflect the demand, and the advantages of running a food and drink business in York.
"We recently sold an ice cream parlour which was in a tiny property for a really good price.
"It was an excellent business with great turnover and profits from six months of trading each year.
"Small businesses like this in York can be little gold mines in this sector, certainly those which are in freehold properties."
He added that class E properties are attractive to buyers, provided they understand the licensing requirements, including health and safety and food hygiene certifications.
Mr Spencer said the agency is also seeing strong interest in pubs and hotels.
He said: "We’ve got a good number of deals for pubs and hotels in the pipeline at present, so there is a good market out there looking for opportunities in the licensing and leisure market.
"We’ve had interest in Working Men’s Clubs, as they can offer development opportunities as they are often large premises on sizable pieces of land.
"Some of the older, larger hotels across North Yorkshire also offer great opportunities for buyers with plans to diversify and establish new business incomes, including adding holiday lodges in the grounds and entering the weddings market."