Davenports of Cheshire announce owners' retirement

Ian and Belinda, the husband-and-wife owners of Davenports of Cheshire, have announced their impending retirement.

It signals a possible end to the family business, which was founded by Ian’s grandfather as a bakery in 1928.

A post on Davenports’ website read: “It is with mixed emotions that I write to advise you that Ian and I will be retiring on September 1, 2024. 

“We absolutely love what we are doing, but we have decided that as I reach 60 in September, we want to be able to do more things while we can and despite being only open now three days a week, there is a huge amount that goes on in those other days, in order to maintain the tearoom.

“Emails, website maintenance, re-stocking, making potted beef, homemade scones, homemade soups to name but a few of the jobs we do behind the scenes and all the admin associated with a small business, so to be honest there really isn’t that much time left in a week.

“We haven’t advertised the business, so someone may be interested in taking the business on, or there may be a new business that would like the space, we are open to discussions.”

Ian Davenport holding a feature about the tearoom in a Japanese food festival paper (Image: Supplied)

Belinda said they have already had lots of interest from potential new owners.

"We totally appreciate our children choosing a career of their own and we fully support them, but sadly it does mean the end of an era," she said.

"We have already had much interest from passionate people being able to continue to offer a quintessential tea room experience that brings people to Northwich and that the people of Cheshire can be proud of."

Davenports Tea Room is located at Bridge Farm on Warrington Road, Bartington (Image: Google Maps)

Harry Davenport launched the family business at Bridge Farm in 1928, initially as a bakery and shop - H. Davenport High Class Confectioners.

His son, Harry Fry Davenport, shifted the focus of the business to floristry, trading under various names and across several locations over the following years.

In 2006, Davenports sold the off-site flower shops and opened Davenports Farm Shop, which won many awards including the Countryside Alliance North West Regional Finalist.

The following year, Davenports Tea Room opened, and went from strength to strength, winning the Tea Guild’s last-ever Top Tea Room Award in 2013.

Davenports has also started offering afternoon tea cruises on their own vintage-style narrowboat, which will continue to operate for one more season after the closure of the tearoom on September 1.

Anyone with gift vouchers for the tearoom is advised to book as soon as possible.