I'm selling my beloved canal-side café in Garstang due to family commitments

A popular Garstang cafe and bar has been put up for sale after its owners announced that current family commitments are making the business difficult to run.

Canalside venue Bridge 64 was listed for sale earlier this month by owners Andy and Annette Dawson, who have run the business since 2020.

Andy Dawson says that his reasons for selling are centred around family commitments. His wife and co-owner Annette works full-time as an accountancy lecturer at Bolton College, and his daughter, Lizzie, now works for a university, making running the business difficult.

“Thanks everyone for your continued support over the summer with the changed business model and thanks for keeping on using us as a coffee shop / bar,” Andy said.

“Sorry to have upset anyone with not doing food but with staffing issues and in the current climate it was the right way to go.

“Going forward we are looking to sell the business, as I know many of you already know with the canal and Garstang ‘grapevines’. With Annette teaching, and Lizzie working 9-5 for the university, the hours and the commute just don't work for us as a family any more.

“We have just significantly reduced the asking price from the original valuation to reflect the fact that the food will need to be built back up and the lower turnover this season. In the meantime it's business as usual, with 7 day opening and live "Acoustic Thursdays" night through till the end of October.

“Thanks again for your continuing support and for a fab 5 years, it's a great place, great customers and a great business so hopefully someone will be along shortly to write the next chapter.”

More details about the business for prospective buyers can be found here.