A popular family-owned Second World War visitor attraction has been put up for sale almost 40 years after it opened.
Eden Camp, originally built near Malton, North Yorkshire, for Italian prisoners in 1942, has been a museum owned by the same family since it opened in 1987.
It was bought in 1985 by the late Stan Johnson, the father of the current owner, Howard, who said: “Since our father passed away in 2015, my sister and I have continued as custodians of this incredible business.
“We have consistently invested in improving the facilities and customer experience and have a fantastic team we work with here, but we too are at that time in our lives where it makes sense to pass the reigns to new owners.
“I’ve been contacted a number of times over the years asking if we would sell and so this tremendous opportunity now becomes a reality.”
The museum tells the story of The People’s War, the social history of life in Britain from 1939 to 1945, with moving figures, authentic sounds and even smells recreated to transport visitors back in time.
Eden Camp, Malton: Fascinating and ‘terrifying’ kids since 1987
(Image: P Gaskell/Geograph.org.uk)
Over the last few years the business has invested over £1.25m in renovation and restoration works to the fabric of the buildings as well as adding a new Blitz Experience, a remodelled entrance, new exhibition spaces and the Heritage Exhibition Hall which provides an undercover display arena for Eden Camp’s collection of military vehicles and equipment.
Eden Camp attracts around 125,000 visitors a year. In 2023, around 25,000 children visited.
After nearly 40 years in the same family ownership the business is being offered for sale for the very first time due to retirement.
Christie & Co are seeking ‘substantial offers’ for the business.
Jon Patrick, of Christie & Co, is overseeing the sale process.
He said: “There are many people, particularly those from Yorkshire, who will have visited Eden Camp as a child and returned with their own children, parents and even grand-parents as there is something here for everyone.
1940s Living History, Eden Camp, Malton
(Image: Eden Camp)
“With over 105,000 items of memorabilia we can see Eden Camp appealing to a national and even international buyer audience, such is the interest in the subject matter.
“From a tourist perspective, it also benefits from the vast majority of its displays being undercover and so would provide a great hedge against inclement weather for visitor attraction operators with primarily outdoor facilities.
“We can also envisage Eden Camp being of interest to other museums, collections and collectors and whilst not forming part of the operating business itself, our clients own a number of rare and valuable military vehicles outside the company structure on offer, which could be made available to purchase or lease by way of separate negotiation.”
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