Ambitious plans to resurrect an iconic Cumbrian cafe which was burned to the ground have been unveiled by Eden engineer and businessman Andy Barr.
At nearly 2,000 feet above sea level, the Hartside Top Cafe, on Hartside Pass, was the highest cafe in England until it was destroyed by fire in 2018, being fully demolished later that year.
Now Mr Barr has bought the site from Penrith-based property developer Dawn Dixon for an undisclosed sum and plans to rebuild an ultra-modern environmentally friendly cafe which will have “something for everyone”.
Commanding magnificent views of the Lakes and North Pennines, Hartside Top was a favourite pit stop for motorists and bikers for decades, pulling in thousands of visitors every year.
The loss of the café was a huge blow to the area, and plans to bring back the spirit of the original Hartside Top have been the talk of the hilltop (and beyond) ever since.
Now the site has been bought by award-winning engineer Mr Barr, owner of nuclear robotics company Barrnon, at Appleby.
He said: “We want to give something back to the community.
“This was an iconic café, with breathtaking views, and although popular with motorcyclists, supercar owners and cyclists, it will become a stop-off for all the family.
“We want to restore it to something emblematic and evocative.”
The new plans, which have been submitted to Eden District Council, include an ultra-modern, environmentally friendly café designed in steel and glass.
Built with a local stone base, the cafe design includes an internal viewing area, 10 bedrooms, an exhibition space and car parking for 50 vehicles.
All facilities have been designed to be fully accessible and electric car charging points will be provided to allow visitors to charge their vehicles.
The design is aimed at providing something for everyone, whether travelling on a bicycle, a bike, by car or on foot.
The high, winding pass between Penrith and Alston on which the cafe site sits is described by AA Magazine as one of the top 10 drives in the world.
With a steep gradient and notorious bends it provides a zig-zagging journey to the heart of the North Pennines.
This is not Mr Barr’s first involvement with an iconic Cumbrian brand.
In 2020 he bought the 160-year-old Cumberland & Westmorland Herald newspaper out of administration, later adding the Keswick Reminder and the popular Cumbria Crack website to his business interests.
