The owner of an ‘iconic’ Budleigh Salterton ice cream parlour put up for sale has thanked customers for their ‘loyal and continued’ support as the wait for a buyer rumbles on.

The Creamery, in Fore Street, has been on the market with W2 Estates for around 12 months but owner Tom Cavanagh, 73, believes it could still be some time before he and his wife are able to move on from the business.

Those interested in scooping up the building, which includes a four-bedroom apartment and a three-bedroom maisonette, can buy it for £1.2 million.

In the meantime, they are gearing up to re-open the shop in February half-term having closed its doors for winter.

Tom told The Journal he feels it’s time to move on having devoted the majority of his time to the business for 17 years but declared ‘we’re not gone yet’.

He said: “I am 73 years of age and I have been working 12 hours a day and seven days a week.

“Thank you for the loyal and continued custom – we delivered a first-class product and it seemed to be appreciated.

“Keep coming in, we’re not leaving any time soon.”

Tom said when the time comes that the four-storey building, they have called home for nearly two decades, is sold, they want to stay in Budleigh as they have made some long-term friendships in the town.

He also hopes the business will continue to run as an ice cream parlour but admitted that he would not have any control over that once the sale has been finalised.

According to W2 Estates, The Creamery is one of East Devon’s most ‘notable’ buildings with ‘distinctive’ red brickwork and a ‘prime position’ in the Mackerel Square area of the town centre.

A spokesman for W2 Estates said: “This is a sizable building offering a tremendous opportunity for anyone seeking a multi-faceted investment or new life on the coast in one of East Devon’s most highly regarded regency towns which is also within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“It is not often that such an opportunity arises - least of all with these views and in this position.”