Historic A66 restaurant near Penrith in Cumbria goes up for sale for £425,000

A historic former restaurant located on the busy A66 near Penrith in Cumbria has been officially placed up for sale with a guide price of £425,000, attracting interest from investors and developers.

The property, known as The Bridge at Kirkby Thore, has a long history dating back to the early 1800s and has previously operated as a restaurant and bar. It sits in a prominent roadside position along one of the region’s key transport routes.

The site has been listed by specialist business property advisers Christie & Co, who describe it as a “substantial and flexible redevelopment opportunity” due to its location and layout.

The building includes a dining area with mezzanine level, a fully equipped commercial kitchen, parking facilities, and three-bedroom owner accommodation, making it suitable for both hospitality and mixed-use development.

According to the agents, the property is currently vacant, giving potential buyers flexibility to reposition it for a variety of future uses. Suggested options include a roadside café, farm shop, EV charging hub with food outlet, takeaway business, or even drive-through facility, subject to planning permission.

Marslie McGregor of Christie & Co said the site offers a rare opportunity on a major route, highlighting its strong visibility on the A66 and its potential for a wide range of commercial uses.

She added that opportunities with such high roadside exposure and versatility are increasingly uncommon in the region, meaning the property is expected to attract strong interest from multiple types of operators.

The listing reflects growing demand for strategically located roadside properties across Cumbria, particularly those that can serve both local communities and passing traffic between key towns such as Penrith and Appleby.

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