Details behind the sudden closure of a well-known roadside cafe on the A66 trans-Pennine route have emerged.

Motorists have taken to social media to express their dismay that the cafe in the Sedbury layby, off the A66 westbound, near Scotch Corner, has shut.

One customer said: “Sad times, I always stopped there with my kids on the way up to Cumbria.”  Another added: “This is heartbreaking! Such a little goldmine and a great facility for truckers and travellers.  “This will be missed by 1,000s of people, I’m sure.”

The building is owned by the government agency, National Highways.  A spokesperson said: “Ownership of the building is a historic anomaly outside of our core business – maintaining, improving and operating the strategic road network.  As there is no current tenancy agreement in place and significant rent arrears, a mutual agreement has been reached that the current service provider will leave the premises.  The layby itself will remain open but there will be no facilities or services available. Services and facilities remain available close by to road users at Scotch Corner, and for HGVs at Barton Lorry Park on the A1.”

The cafe has been operated by Sedbury Services Ltd for the last eight years, Director Sarah Smith said they were informed by agents for National Highways around two years ago that they would not be charged rent as the building was not fit for purpose, but they could still occupy the premises until refurbishment work was completed.

Mrs Smith added: “This refurbishment has never taken place and we have continually asked the questions, when will it happen and when can we have our contract renewed?  I cannot tell you the number of emails and conversations that have taken place.”

The businesswoman said talks continued for nearly two years until October when, without notice, they were asked to vacate the property.
The company handed back the keys on December 1.

Mrs Smith, who thanked customers for their support over the years, added: “This situation could have been resolved, as we presented National Highways with several workable options that would have allowed us to continue operating at Sedbury.  Unfortunately, despite providing no explanation, it seems they had other plans from the outset.  It has been a privilege to operate in such a well-known facility. We have traded at Sedbury under our own name for eight years, and many of our family members also worked with the previous tenant for many years before that.  In total, the site has been home to a café for around 50 years, making this a particularly sad moment for all of us.”

The team behind the roadside cafe has recently opened the new Maple Café, at Canada Fields Country Park, near Northallerton.