A well-known and popular café spot in County Durham has 'reluctantly' gone up for sale after the owner announced retirement.

Sam Zair's Café has been a staple of Fore Bondgate in Bishop Auckland for many years - but it has been announced that the business will be sold up after it appeared on estate agent websites recently.

The Northern Echo: Sam Zair's in Bishop AucklandSam Zair's in Bishop Auckland (Image: RIGHTMOVE)

The venue, which has been a café in some guise since 1898, is a fourth-generation business in Bishop Auckland - and has built up a popular following in the town during that time.

*it's worth noting that while the business is up for sale, it has been for a significant amount of time

The Northern Echo: Inside the coffee shopInside the coffee shop (Image: RIGHTMOVE)

The business, which has appeared online for £299,995, has been put on by estate agent Hilton Smythe - and it's expected to be a popular listing. 

Online, the reasons for the sale states: "The business is now being sold, albeit reluctantly and with heavy hearts only due to a wish to take a well-earned retirement and spend more time with their families.

The Northern Echo: The front counter of Sam Zair's CaféThe front counter of Sam Zair's Café (Image: RIGHTMOVE)

"The vendors are keen to see their beloved Café pass to an ambitious and entrepreneurial new owner(s) who can take this already thriving business to the next level."

It's hoped that the café will continue in some form after the sale, given the popularity of it already. 

Alongside the café, the sale also includes a Holiday Letting Business which is above the café business and accessed by a separate entrance.

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The holiday let can accommodate up to seven guests. All aspects of the holiday let have been recently improved including new windows and full redecoration.

The Holiday Letting side of the business was completed in May 2017 and is advertised on several holiday letting websites and has generated a good level of interest.

The listing can be found here.

On the online listing, these are the reasons for buying the business:

  • A well-established business with an enviable reputation and many existing customers
  • Prime trading position with little or no competition locally
  • Includes a potentially lucrative holiday let or owner accommodation
  • The current owner happy to offer a handover to ensure the continued success
  • Lots of money is being pumped into the local economy which will only increase custom
  • Ideal owner-managed or partnership business
  • A real lifestyle business opportunity


The business occupies a three-storey, four-floor mid-terrace retail premises with residential accommodation across the ground, first, second and third floors.

The property has a great amount of history and has a plaque on the building to celebrate a performance from a world-renowned violinist, Niccolo Paganini. 

The current business hours of the café are:

  • Monday – 08:00 – 16:00
  • Tuesday – 08:00 – 16:00
  • Wednesday – 08:00 – 16:00
  • Thursday – 08:00 – 16:00
  • Friday – 08:00 – 16:00
  • Saturday – 08:00 – 16:00
  • Sunday - Closed