It’s been a turbulent year for many local businesses.

After months of changing lockdown rules and being forced to shut many have been forced to close their doors for good.

As we are currently in lockdown, starting a new business might be the last thing on your mind. 

However, when restrictions ease and people can visit places once again local businesses will be thriving. 

With enough ambition and passion the right owner could breathe new life into these businesses.

Here are four businesses for sale in the county:

Premier convenience shop, Wear Road, Stanley
£139,950

The Northern Echo: This Premier brand store is up for sale(Photo: Zoopla, A1 Businesses for sale)This Premier brand store is up for sale(Photo: Zoopla, A1 Businesses for sale)

This Premier branded shop is in an enviable main road location which is free from any direct competition.

The family-run business serves the local community put it also attracts a lot of passing trade too.

The shop also operates as an off-license and there is a three bedroom accommodation situated above it.

According to the property listing, this shop has thrived during lockdown with sales hitting £25,£30,000.

However, weekly sales before lockdown were around £15,000.

The Right Plaice fish and chip shop, Duke Street, Darlington
£35,000

The Northern Echo: The Right Plaice (Photo: Zoopla, Carver Commercial)The Right Plaice (Photo: Zoopla, Carver Commercial)

Fancy running your own fish and chip shop?

The Right Plaice is already a well-established and highly regarded business in the community.

It has a lot of repeat customers and also attracts plenty of passing trade from shoppers in the town centre.

The business is ready to start trading from straight away- could you be the one to help it flourish?

Golden Rice Tandoori, Priory Road, Framwellgate Moor, Durha,
£30,000 (offer over)

The Northern Echo: Golden Rice (Photo: Zoopla, Graham Hall)Golden Rice (Photo: Zoopla, Graham Hall)

This restaurant was first established in 1994; since then, the current owner has helped develop the restaurant and improve its profit margins.

The business is only being put on the market as the current owner wishes to retire.

Golden Rice Tandoori is a hot food takeaway with a varied menu comprising Halal, Bangladeshi and Indian Cuisine.

While the takeaway is already pretty successful, there is scope for the new owner to improve it even further by extending the trading hours or even taking the business online.

Butchers, Sailsbury Terrace, Darlington
£350,000

The Northern Echo: This butcher already has an impressive turnover(Photo: Zoopla, Silk Lettings)This butcher already has an impressive turnover(Photo: Zoopla, Silk Lettings)

If you are a knowledgeable business person who knows how to take a shop to the next level, then make sure to read more about this Darlington butcher shop.

It is considered to be one of the oldest existing butcher shops in Darlington, and the current owner has been in charge since 1989- they are only giving it up for retirement reasons.

The business receives a mixture of both regular and passing trade which explains its impressive profits of around £500,000 per year.

Currently, the business supplies to local shops in the area and prides themselves on selling “premium, quality traceable product”.

Have you taken on a business during the pandemic? Share your experience in the comments or email sarah.mcgee@newsquest.co.uk