Coffee shops have been at the heart of local communities since the invigorating beverage was first introduced to Britain in the 17th century, providing a warm welcome and a friendly chat.

The Blueberry Hill Coffee Shop and Sandwich Bar in the Edinburgh suburb of Slateford is a prime example of its kind, having served locals and visitors alike with refreshing drinks and tasty delicacies for the past eight years.

Now the attractive business is being offered up for sale by DM Hall, one of the leading Scottish firms of Chartered Surveyors, as an unfortunate consequence of the owner’s ill health.

Blueberry Hill, with its eye-catching blueberry-coloured exterior, is conveniently situated on the North East side of Ashley Terrace between the junctions with Slateford Road and Harrison Gardens.

It serves the former village of Slateford, which lies on the Lanark Road where it crosses the Water of Leith. It is now a popular suburb and home to Slateford Green, the first car-free housing development in the UK.

The interior of the café is light, airy and welcoming, with comfortable pale wood furniture, and customers are greeted with a glass display unit which houses that day’s repertoire of freshly-made and locally-sourced produce.

Blueberry Hill is surrounded by typical Edinburgh tenement properties, creating a substantial local customer base. There is also great potential for outside catering, an avenue which has not been fully explored because of the owner’s health.

There is a seating area to the front with a service counter which comprises the refrigerated display unit and juice fridge. A preparation area and kitchen to the rear is fitted with modern base kitchen units with worktop areas, as well as a coffee machine, baked potato oven, panini grill and various fridges. There is a basement storage area and a toilet.

Blueberry Hill will provide the buyer with a pleasant and fulfilling lifestyle business, which has monthly sales of between £5000 and £5500, just two miles from the centre of Scotland’s bustling capital.

Viewing is strictly by appointment and offers around £37,500 are invited.

Viewing can be arranged by contacting Suzanne Lawrie on 0131 477 6000 (option 3) or business.sales@dmhall.co.uk