8117F

• Very impressive Freehouse and Restaurant full of character in a sought after rural location.
• Welcoming Bar (30) with designated Dining Area (circa 16) exposed beams and brickwork.
• Restaurant one (circa 12) with a large feature brick fireplace.
• Restaurant two (circa 14) leading on to the garden.
• 2 Letting Rooms - one family room and one double room both with en-suite.
• Two bedroom Owner’s Accommodation.
• Refurbished spacious enclosed Garden with outside Bar, Pizza Area and Patio Terrace Areas.
• Fully equipped Commercial Kitchen.
• Advised turnover circa £486,805 (incl.VAT) year-end January 2018 excluding revenue from letting accommodation.
• Trade split is approximately 30% wet, 60% dry, 10% accommodation.
• Business is currently closed – but Letting Rooms remain open.
• Possible opportunity for redevelopment subject to the appropriate planning permissions/consents.

Location

This highly desirable country freehouse pub and restaurant can be found in an ideal central location in the picturesque sought after affluent village of Ellington, 4 miles west of Huntingdon just off the A14 in rural Cambridgeshire. Ellington is a charming Cambridgeshire village with attractive thatched roof buildings and has a population in excess of 600. The village has its own village hall and the bustling market town of Huntingdon is close-by, with its many shops, cafes, leisure facilities (including a multiplex cinema), schools and doctors etc. Famous for being the birthplace of Oliver Cromwell and home to one of England’s major thoroughbred horse racing venues, is only 4 miles away on the Great Ouse River and the popular town of St. Ives with its picturesque river setting is also in close proximity.

THE PROPERTY

The property is an impressive and eye catching two storey building of brick construction under a pitched tile roof full of charm and character and has been well maintained throughout.

Bar (circa 30) has a welcoming atmosphere with an array of exposed beams and brickwork, feature brick fireplace with multi burner, large bay window with bench seating, superb fully equipped brick bar servery with wooden counter-top bottle fridges, spirit display and coffee station, tiled floor and furnished with country style furniture.

Dining Area (circa 16) to the left of the bar also with exposed beams and tiled marble stone custom made floor and furnished with wooden tables and high back chairs.

Ladies & Gents WC’s all in very good decorative order and to an individualised high standard. Restaurant One (circa 12) has a cosy atmosphere with original exposed beams, tiled stone floor and a large feature brick fireplace with wood burning stove, and furnished with wooden tables and high back chairs. Restaurant Two (circa 14) fully carpeted with wooden tables and matching high back chairs and access to the garden.

It should be noted that both restaurants one and two would be ideal for smaller private functions and meetings.

Catering Facilities There is a fully equipped commercial kitchen with stainless steel surfaces, extractor system, oven, cooker and fryers etc. (equipment not tested), separate wet room washing facilities and dishwasher and dry store. There is also an Outdoor Pizza Area with fridges and food preparation area (N.B. pizza oven not included in sale price).

Cellar all in good order and well maintained.

OWNERS ACCOMMODATION

Located on the first floor and consists of 2 double bedrooms, lounge, office and family bathroom.

LETTING ACCOMMODATION

Located in a separate building and comprises of one double en-suite and one family en-suite room both with private access and are to a high standard. Bookings are currently running at 70%-75% which generates a monthly income of circa £2,500.

EXTERNAL

There is a truly remarkable enclosed garden incorporating a lawned area and patio, petanque pitch, trees, plants and shrubs, pizza oven and BBQ area and picnic benches overlooking the picturesque village church. The garden has recently been refurbished to include an Outside Bar and Outdoor Pizza Area (pizza oven not included) with long pizza fridge with marble top and BBQ Area by the kitchen door.

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:

Mon- Sun 12noon to 11.15pm

Current opening hours are: currently closed

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 property and business is being offered for sale freehold (although we have not had sight of the title deeds).

All mains services are connected with LPG for heating (no services tested). Business rates payable are advised as being circa £6,776. It should be noted that planning permission to extend the premises was approved in November 2005 (plans still available on request), therefore it is likely that planning permission would be approved again if reapplied for on the same basis.

THE BUSINESS

Our vendor clients took over the business approximately 6 years ago and had built up an excellent reputation for quality destination dining from the local community and surrounding area prior to Covid-19. They also attracted trade from the nearby towns of Huntingdon, St. Neots and St. Ives, maintaining a loyal a regular wet trade that one would expect from a country freehouse. Due to the superb and versatile facilities, both inside and out, and with the added advantage of the letting rooms, this establishment was the hub of the community and was also popular with the many visitors to the area all year round. The business was being run by the owner, 3 full-time chefs, 3 full-time front-of-house and up to 14 part-time staff as needed.

We are advised that accounts declare takings of £486,805 (incl. VAT) for year ending January 2018 but excluding revenue from letting accommodation. Due to Covid-19, the business was closed from 17/03/2020 to 04/12/2020 and closed from 25/12/2020 to 12/04/2021. We are advised that turnover was circa £155,653 (inc. VAT) from 01/01/21 to 07/11/21. Due to covid-19 restrictions in 2021: the pub was closed for the 1st 3 months and doing takeaway food only; April was only beer garden trade; with the pub re-opening inside from 17th May under restrictions. Unfortunately, due to major staffing problems, the vendors decided to close the business in November 2021. There is further growth potential for new owners to build on what was a well-established and successful business by promoting the letting rooms more and by holding more events such as festivals and family days etc. and there is also potential opportunity for redevelopment subject to the appropriate planning permission.

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

Viewing appointments must be made via Guy Simmonds on 01332 865112.

Details Updated: March 2022