The future of a long-established Lake District youth hostel looks in doubt. The Scandinavian-style Patterdale YHA remains open for business but on the market, with its freehold up for sale at £650,000.

The YHA has said its preference is for the 87-bed property to continue as part of the YHA franchise.

But so far no buyer has been found and the YHA is prepared to consider an “independent hostelling business, or change of use”.

There are concerns in Patterdale that could mean it being lost to a developer turning it into a second home. The building’s future was discussed this week at a meeting of Patterdale Parish Council.

Council chairman Rob Shephard said: “The community hopes that someone will buy it and continue to run it as a hostel.” 

Despite a modernisation, the hostel off the A592, is renowned for its retro feel, but still has its supporters.

It has close to five-star reviews on Google and Tripadvisor, is rated as “excellent”, and frequently receives glowing feedback.

As recently as July, a fan wrote: “This is an old-school hostel full of retro charm.

“The 1970s building is fabulous in its no-nonsense design. The communal areas are excellent and the staff are friendly, enthusiastic and helpful.”

In June, the 93-year-old YHA organisation announced a new three-year business plan to go alongside its 2030 strategy.

In a statement, it said: “The last few years have been difficult for YHA — pandemic shutdowns, the cost-of-living crisis and steep inflation have affected us like other charities and hospitality providers.” Its new business plan is “built around growth, savings, and network change,” it said.

It has spoken of restructuring by 2026 to focus on “strategic hostels, running at higher occupancy and efficiency, with its central team 20 per cent smaller”.  

 “Wherever possible we will be looking for new partners to take over the running and management of those sites where we have identified that a franchise model will work best — providing opportunities for partners, local communities, and individuals to acquire the site and, working with YHA, make them unique accommodation providers under the youth hostelling umbrella. 

“Of these sites, those that don’t become franchises will be sold and the money raised from them invested into the upkeep of our other amazing spaces.”