8290L

• Imposing and attractive 16th century traditional village inn situated in the prime location of Findon in the South Downs National Park.
• Very good sized traditional Lounge Bar (circa 80+) and a versatile and multi-functional Restaurant (circa 30 covers).
• 8 Superb Letting Bedrooms (6 of which are ensuite).
• Self-Contained Apartment, Ideal for Owner or Manager, which can be easily reconfigured into 3/4 bed accommodation if so required.
• Good sized lawned Beer Garden (circa 60+) and Patron’s Car Park for circa 8 cars.
• Fully equipped Commercial Catering Kitchen.
• Advised turnover y/e Aug 2019 circa £835,000 inc VAT with excellent net profits.
• Trade split circa 45% wet, 35% food and 20% accommodation sales. Undoubted potential for a catering/events orientated operator.
• Enterprise Inns part tied renewable lease.
• Available for the 1st time in 12 years – Retirement Sale.

Location

This outstanding property and business is situated in the affluent and highly sought after village of Findon (just off the South Downs Way and Monarch’s Way, which are popular with walkers and cyclists) in the beautiful county of West Sussex. 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 Findon is also within the catchment area of many similar affluent villages and towns in addition to being situated close to Chichester and Lewes and the coastal resorts of Worthing, Brighton, Hove and Bognor Regis and is also approximately only 25 minutes from the Goodwood Racecourse making this superb inn ideally situated to attract trade from these nearby surrounding towns and villages. A compelling business opportunity and an enviable place to reside.

THE PROPERTY

This wonderful inn is an attractive and substantial property; believed to originally date back to circa 1527 occupies an excellent trading position.

Main entrance at the front leading into the lobby with access into the Restaurant and Public Bar.

Public Bar (circa 80) is a good sized traditional and welcoming room having a feature return bar servery with a solid polished counter, glass gantry above and a matching back fitting with trade optics and refrigerated bottle coolers (not tested), which is complemented by an excellent range of solid polished tables, chairs, upholstered stools and fixed upholstered perimeter seating. Adding to charm and character of the room is the feature brick built fireplace with an inset log burner and part panelled walls. Access to the Beer Garden. Restaurant (circa 30 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 polished tables and a mix of upholstered chairs. The room also has a beamed ceiling.

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, prep room, store-room and a walk-in chiller.

Laundry Room

Lower Ground Floor Cellar with dray drop, pumps, pythons x2, tilt racks, post mix and cooler.

Ladies and Gents W.C.’s.

OWNERS ACCOMMODATION

Self-contained Apartment, being situated on the 2nd floor, presented in good decorative order, which can be easily reconfigured into 3/4 bed accommodation if so required.

LETTING ACCOMMODATION

Situated on the 1st floor and briefly comprises: 8 bedrooms (6 having ensuite facilities), TV and tea/coffee making facilities, additional communal shower room and a communal residents lounge.

N.B. Agents Note - Accommodation can be easily reconfigured into 3 / 4 bed accommodation if so required.

EXTERNAL

There is a good sized lawned Beer Garden at the rear (circa 60+) with timber picnic benches and an additional seating area with tables and chairs. There is also a timber constructed unit housing a superb brick built pizza oven with an opening hatch to the garden for takeaway orders. Patron’s Car Park for circa 8 cars.

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:

Sunday – Thursday – 10.00am – Midnight

Friday & Saturday – 10.00am – 12.30am

The current opening hours are as follows:

Monday – Thursday – 11.00am – 10.30pm

Friday & Saturday – 11.00am – 11.30pm

Sunday – Midday – 10.00pm

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 8½ 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 £59,000 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 (no services seen or tested). Business rates payable are advised as currently being circa £19,804 per annum.

THE BUSINESS

Our vendor clients are selling this excellent business due to an imminent retirement and change in family circumstances. They operate the business as a ‘partnership’ on a full time and part time basis respectively with the assistance of 6 full time and 15 part time/casual members of staff. Trade is currently derived from circa 45% wet, 35% food and 20% accommodation sales and whilst emulating the highly successful current business model there is still tremendous 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 turnover for y/e Aug 2019 circa £835,000 inc VAT with excellent net profits.

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

Viewing appointments must be made by contacting Guy Simmonds at sales@guysimmonds.co.uk.

Details Prepared: August 2019