A popular outdoor shop in the heart of the Lake District has come to market.
The Barn Door Shop, in Wasdale, is up for sale as a going concern for buyers interested in taking over the running of the shop.
Situated next door to the Wasdale Head Inn, it has been welcoming visitors, hikers and climbers for 43 years.
It is the only shop in the heart of the valley and is open to offers based on its turnover and profit.
The shop has a turnover in excess of £200,000 and a net profit for year ending 2025 of £66,000.
Current owner Joanne Balmer, of Gosforth, has run the shop with her step daughter for 10 years, after she took over from her husband Jim, who first set up the shop in 1983 and retired in 2016.
Joanne is now selling the shop as she retires to look after her elderly parents.
She said: “It has been great fun to do it, we’re so lucky where we are and I still have so much enthusiasm for it.
“I’ve always felt we were so lucky to have it because it’s incredibly difficult to get a building up at Wasdale Head let alone get permission to open a shop, so the fact it’s up and running.
“Whoever takes it on, they can sell what they want and it would be a success. Last year we put a food prep area in, so you could always build up that side of it, it’s down to your imagination.”
The building itself is made up of a ground floor retail space, a large stockroom and a food preparation kitchen.
Above and next door to the shop are self catering units that belong to the Wasdale Head Inn.
Potential owners would have to commute to the shop in the valley, which is a 25 minute scenic drive away from Gosforth.
Joanne added that the shop has also evolved a lot over the years to meet changing customer demands since it first opened its doors in 1983.
She added: “The outdoor trade has changed in the time we’ve had it. When my husband first took it on he was selling actual climbing gear, as well as walking gear.
“You then had climbing walls starting up and people selling gear there and while me and my step daughter have had it we’ve had to listen to what the customer is asking for and our main stay is still outdoor gear. We also sell ice cream and gifts.
“But there’s also no competition because we’re the only shop and we can stock what we want. The season is so busy and the valley is so popular, we’re really fortunate.
“It also doesn’t matter who you’ve got coming in, the weather is never quite what they were expecting! So the weather is always on our side as far as sales go.
“We’ve survived foot and mouth and Covid and all of this because once people can access the valley again they come flocking back.”
The valley welcomes over 250,000 visitors a year and Joanne said the shop brings in all kinds of different people through the doors.
Joanne added: “In Wasdale you’re normally dealing with people who are on holiday, so they’re all very happy!
“Over the years we’ve watched different generations come in, so the little kids who came in with their parents are now coming in with their own kids.
“We do get quite a few celebrities in too, we’ve had Gary Kemp years ago when Spandeau Ballet were still on the go, Jim actually used to take him climbing.
“He actually came in a few years ago with his wife who was after a new waterproof jacket and he was asking after Jim. We have also had David Sedaris in the shop.”
The shop is on the market as a property leasehold with a new 10 year lease.
Parking is ample around and near the shop meaning customers and delivery vans can access it freely.
Interested people can contact The Barn Door Shop via Facebook here.
