‘The time is right for me to hand it over’: Knaresborough award-winning cafe up for sale after eight successful years
A much-loved award-winning cafe in Knaresborough has been put up for sale after eight successful years – as a new chapter begins.
Sarah Ward, owner of Number Thirteen on Castlegate, has announced the decision to sell the business, marking the end of her time at the helm.
Number Thirteen has been a local favourite since opening in January 2018, winning multiple accolades along the way, including two sustainability awards, and being voted Knaresborough’s Favourite Coffee Shop for four consecutive years.
Reflecting on the journey, Sarah said: “Two and a half years ago, I announced the closure of Number Thirteen on Silver Street after only six months.
"It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do, but unfortunately it just wasn’t meant to be.
"Since then, our original shop on Castlegate has kept going and growing.”
Despite the cafe’s success, Sarah admits the pressures of running a small business have taken their toll.
She said: “The strains upon us as a business – and in particular, the pressures on me personally – haven’t gone away.
"This has started to take a toll, and I think it’s time for something else.”
Sarah added that the cafe is performing well despite the challenges facing the hospitality sector, but she has reached a point where she can no longer continue as before.
She added: “It’s just that after almost nine years, I think the time is right for me to hand it over to someone else.
"Unlike when we closed the doors on Silver Street, this announcement is said with a smile, albeit a sad one.
"It will hopefully mean that Number Thirteen will live on, just under a different name, with the same great staff, service and spirit, and without me at the helm.”
Sarah has confirmed that the cafe will remain open and continue operating as usual until a buyer is found, after which some changes may be introduced.
She said: “The next six months will see some changes, and I will inform everyone when those happen.
"For now, it’s business as usual - same great service, same great coffee and cake.”
Anyone interested in buying the cafe is invited to get in touch with Sarah or her agents at Alan J Picken by emailing [email protected] or calling 01943 609451.
For more information about Number Thirteen, visit https://numberthirteenknaresborough.co.uk/