The historic Hawnby Stores and Tea Room near Helmsley, founded in 1762, is celebrating a memorable 12 months under new ownership.

Oli Nicholls and Sally Pearson, who lease the building from the Hawnby Estate but own the business, have transformed the quaint building into a thriving village shop, café and community hub over the past year.

The village shop was a former sub-post office and has operated continually since the 18th century.

The highlight of a busy and successful year for Oli and Sally was winning the prestigious Newcomer of the Year award in the Yorkshire Post’s Tourism Awards.

To celebrate, the couple are hosting a special first anniversary party on Midsummer’s Day, Sunday June 21.

The party, which will begin at noon, will feature talented local musicians Paul Judge, Meadow Adgo and Dale Lavelle. Guests will be seated on outside tables by the River Rye, with sharing plates, dessert and a complementary first drink included in the ticket price. Tickets are £30, available now from Hawnbystoresandtearoom@gmail.com.

Oli Nichols explained: “Our first anniversary coincides, not just with Midsummer’s Day, but also with Fathers’ Day and World Music Day. So, what better to do to celebrate the day than sit back, relax and enjoy lunch by the river in beautiful Hawnby while being entertained by some brilliant musical talents from North Yorkshire? We are hoping this will be the first of many live music events we present here at Hawnby Stores and Tea Room.

“Our tables in the garden will be available for reservation in three sittings of 1.5 hours each from noon. We can fit up to six on a table, but if you book a table for fewer than five people, it's possible that you may be sharing.”

Oli and Sally moved to Hawnby from the French Alps, where they worked in the tourism sector, and are thrilled with how everything has worked out in their first year.

Oli explained: “What a year it’s been. We have made so many new friends and welcomed so many new customers to our café and shop, and we have fallen completely in love with Hawnby. It’s now part of our hearts.”

“The joy of this long-term project has been that we have had a completely blank canvas. This has enabled us to create a welcoming community space, based on our principles of sustainability and inclusivity, sourcing local produce whenever and wherever we can and ensuring that we stock everything that both villagers and visitors to Hawnby need.”

Key innovations include a wide range of popular community events, such as sold-out supper clubs, wine tastings, private dining, a book club and musical events, as well as a wedding breakfast, birthday parties and a christening party.

Oli continued: “We pride ourselves on being a friendly and inclusive community hub rather than just a simple village shop. We are very passionate about our lovely, refurbished café, and we have also created an informal space for coffee and light snacks, making the most of the beautiful area in front of the shop leading down to the River Rye, where we have created a flower, fruit and herb garden, together with a rockery.

He added: “The success we have enjoyed has enabled us to take on extra staff, one full-time and two part-time, all from nearby, which has helped to boost the local Hawnby economy. That makes us very proud.”

Jamie Savile, of landlords the Hawnby Estate, enthused: “We are absolutely delighted with the transformation of the Hawnby Stores and Tea Room over the past year and extremely impressed with the work Oli and Sally have done. Their enthusiasm and passion, combined with their knowledge and experience of the hospitality sector, have ensured that the revitalised Stores are a tremendous success.

“They have turned the Stores and the Tea Room into a fabulous place, which is a massive boost for our village. The new-look café and shop are the heartbeat of the community and – together with the Owl inn – have made Hawnby a great rural destination for walkers, cyclists and tourists.

“This is so important, as small rural independent village stores are vital to the lifeblood of the rural economy. Many have small village shops that have shut across the country, but we have been determined to keep our own very special village shop, which has such a loyal following, open. Over the past 12 months Oli and Sally have proved us right and run the shop with real flair and style. Happy first anniversary.”



Hawnby Stores and Tea Room are open every day from 10-4pm except Tuesdays Wednesdays and Thursdays.