8093L

• Imposing and attractive 15th century traditional village inn situated in the prime location of Slinfold.
• Traditional Lounge Bar (circa 35+), cosy Snug (circa 10) and a versatile and multi-functional Restaurant (circa 35+ covers).
• 4 Superb Letting Bedrooms (3 of which are ensuite).
• Very good sized Beer Garden (circa 200) and Patron’s Car Park for circa 30 cars. Additional plot of land ideal for events/camping.
• Fully equipped Commercial Catering Kitchen.
• 2 Bedroomed Owner’s Accommodation.
• Advised current sales circa £380,000 (incl. VAT).
• Trade split circa 30% wet, 60% food and 10% accommodation sales. Undoubted potential for a catering/events orientated operator.
• Enterprise Inns part tied renewable lease.

Location

This outstanding property and business is situated in the affluent and highly sought after village of Slinfold in the beautiful county of West Sussex and can be easily reached from the A29 near Horsham. Situated within the M23/A23 corridor having excellent road communications providing easy access to the M23, M25, M27 and M3 motorways making this superb location an extremely popular commuter area for the major motorways and the major international airports of Gatwick and Heathrow. The village of Slinfold is also within the catchment area of many similar affluent villages and towns in addition to being situated close to Chichester, Horsham, Crawley and Burgess Hill and the coastal resorts of Worthing, Brighton and Bognor Regis and is also approximately only 30 minutes from the Goodwood Racecourse making this superb inn ideally situated to attract trade from these nearby surrounding towns and villages.

THE PROPERTY

This wonderful inn is an attractive and substantial property; believed to originally date back to circa 1460 and occupies an excellent trading position.

Main entrance at the front leading into the lobby with access in to the Lounge Bar.

Lounge Bar (circa 35+) is a traditional and welcoming room having a feature central return bar servery with a solid oak counter and a matching mirrored back fitting with trade optics and refrigerated bottle coolers (not tested), which is complemented by an excellent range of solid oak tables, oak chairs, an upholstered settle, suede tub chairs and leather padded bar chairs. Adding to charm and character of the room are the 2 feature open fireplaces, the beamed ceiling and the part panelled walls. Access to the Restaurant and Snug. Snug (circa 10) is a cosy room and is furnished with solid polished tables, suede tub chairs and comfortable leather sofas. There is also a feature brick built inglenook fireplace with an inset log burner and a solid oak floor. Access to the Beer Garden.

Restaurant (circa 35+ covers) is a good sized versatile and multi-functional room, ideal for private functions, meetings and wakes etc and is well furnished with a good range of solid oak tables and upholstered chairs. There is also a feature open fireplace with an inset coal effect gas fire. The room also has a beamed ceiling and panelled walls.

Catering facilities include a fully equipped commercial Kitchen with stainless steel appliances and preparation surfaces (appliances not tested). There is also a wash-up room and a walk-in chiller. Lower Ground Floor Cellar with dray drop, pumps, pythons x2, post mix and cooler.

Ladies and Gents W.C.’s.

OWNERS ACCOMMODATION

Being situated on the 1st floor and briefly comprises: 2 bedrooms, lounge, kitchen and bathroom.

LETTING ACCOMMODATION

Situated on the first floor and briefly comprises: 4 bedrooms (3 having ensuite facilities), TV and tea/coffee making facilities, additional bathroom.

EXTERNAL

There is a very good sized lawned Beer Garden at the rear (circa 200) with timber picnic benches and a paved patio area with Wratten style garden furniture and a Children’s Play Area. Patron’s car park for circa 30 cars. There is also a very good sized additional plot of land ideal for events/camping etc and is also used as an overflow car park. There is also a Barn (currently used for storage) which could be converted into Letting Accommodation subject to the necessary planning permissions.

TRADING HOURS

We are advised that the business trades with the benefit of the Premises Licence (not seen) which permits the sale of alcohol during the hours of:

Monday – Thursday – 10.00am – Midnight

Friday & Saturday – 10.00am – 01.00am

Sunday – 11.00am – Midnight

The current opening hours are as follows:

Monday – Sunday – 11.30am – 11.00pm

NB. Important. Prospective purchasers wishing to continue to operate the public house should ensure that they gain the APLH Qualification in readiness for their intended operation of the Public House.

GENERAL REMARKS

The business is offered for sale as a lease assignment with approximately 6 years remaining of the Enterprise Inns, full repairing and insuring, renewable agreement. We are advised that the inn is partially tied to draught beers, bottled beers and spirits. We are informed that the rent is currently £50,000 per annum. We are advised that at the end of the term, the Lease (not seen by Guy Simmonds) should be renewable with no further premium – subject to the provision of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954. We are advised that the inn benefits from all mains services with the exception of gas and uses LPG for cooking and heating (no services seen or tested). Business rates payable are advised as currently being circa £18,000 per annum.

THE BUSINESS

Our vendor client operates this excellent business as a ‘sole trader’ on a full-time basis with the assistance of 1 full time and 5 part time members of staff. Trade is currently derived from circa 30% wet, 60% food and 10% accommodation sales and whilst emulating the current business model there is still immense potential for a new hands-on owner operator partnership to take this business to the next level by exploiting the obvious lettings, food and events potential and also focussing on a strategic marketing campaign to promote the business for private parties and wakes etc.

Advised current sales are circa £380,000 (incl. VAT). This delightful inn is a well-established and successful business and in our opinion with the above areas of potential we would quite easily expect a fully focussed and fully committed operator to achieve a turnover well in excess of £450,000 (incl. VAT).

Accounting information will be made available to interested parties after viewing.

This business was viewed by Martin McConnell who would be delighted to discuss further details and can be contacted on 07970 213549.

Viewing appointments must be made by contacting Guy Simmonds on 01332-865112.