8435F

• Very impressive profitable Freehouse and Restaurant in an ideal rural location.
• Restaurant Area (circa 38), full of character with exposed beams and brickwork.
• Welcoming Public Bar.
• Cosy Snug/Dining Area (circa 16) with ‘olde worlde’ charm.
• Fully equipped commercial kitchen with separate prep area.
• Three bedroom owner’s accommodation with kitchen/diner.
• Excellent garden with covered decked area.
• Separate Function Room with loft area.
• Patron’s car park 20 plus.
• Advised turnover circa £363,916 (incl. VAT) year-end January 2022 (for approx. 9 months trading due to covid restrictions – projected T/O for 12 months trading would be circa £484,000 incl VAT).
• Advised turnover circa £450,000 (incl. VAT) year-end January 2018 (pre-covid).
• Trade split is approximately 40% wet, 60% food.

Location

This highly desirable country freehouse and restaurant can be found in an ideal central location in the rural Norfolk village of Griston, just off the A1075 3 miles South of Watton. Griston is a typical rural Norfolk village with a population in excess of 1500 and is famous in folklore for Wayland Woods where the wicked uncle ordered the death of his wards i.e. ‘Babes in the Woods’.

Although there are no local amenities such as a local shop, there is local industrial industry and planning for a further 60 new dwellings.

The market town of Watton, with its array of local shops, café, supermarket, schools and leisure facilities is only 3 miles away. The large town of Thetford is 13 miles away as is Thetford Forest and Norwich City is only a 40 minute drive.

THE PROPERTY

The property is a very impressive building with great kerb appeal and dates back to 1740. The main part of the building is mainly Clay lump construction with brick extensions and with a pitched tile roof and has been well maintained throughout.

Public Bar is of a traditional style with exposed beams and brickwork, large feature brick fireplace with dual sided wood burner, wooden flooring, fully equipped wood bar servery with bottle fridges, glass washer and optics etc. and is furnished with a pew type upholstered bench, wood tables and stools. Restaurant (circa 38) has a welcoming atmosphere also with exposed beams and brickwork, large brick fireplace with dual sided wood burner, wooden bar servery attached to the public bar, wood flooring, part carpeted. Stylishly furnished with bespoke handmade wooden tables and matching banquet chairs.

Snug/Dining area (circa 16) is intimate and cosy also with exposed beams, feature brick fireplace, fully carpeted and furnished with wooden tables and matching banquet chairs.

Ladies and Gents W.C. all in good order.

Cellar which is on ground floor level in two sections also in good order.

Catering Facilities There is a fully equipped commercial kitchen (EHO 5 star rated) with stainless steel surfaces, extractor system, Quarto oven, Lincat griddle and grill, falcon fryers and 6 burner gas range etc. (equipment not tested). There is also a separate prep and washing up area with new dishwasher 2021.

STORAGE ROOM

This used to be the pool room but is now being used for a staffroom and storage, however it could be easily made into a games room or family/ children’s room.

FUNCTION ROOM (circa 40)

Which is separate to the main building with a separate entrance and has a fully equipped bar servery, wood effect flooring, wooden tables and leather dining chairs. There is also an open-plan loft area, this is ideal for wedding receptions, private parties and corporate meetings etc.

OWNERS ACCOMMODATION

Located on the first floor comprising of 3 double bedrooms. It should be noted that two of the bedrooms are currently being rented out on a 3 month termination agreement which brings in extra revenue, however new owners may wish to use all of the private accommodation. A kitchen/diner, lounge and family bathroom, refurbished throughout 2020. There is also a private enclosed paved garden and a ground floor office.

EXTERNAL

There is a family garden laid to grass with picnic tables, also a truly remarkable covered decked area with patio heaters, lights, bespoke handmade wooden tables and rattan chairs.

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 11am to 12 midnight

Current opening hours are:

Mon Closed

Tues-Sun 12noon to 11pm 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 cooking and heating (no services tested). Business rates payable are advised as being circa £ TBC.

THE BUSINESS

Our vendor client took over the business in 2006 and in which time has built up a good regular wet trade and a reputation for destination quality dining not only from the local community and surrounding area but also attracting trade from the nearby town of Watton.

With the exceptional outside facilities this establishment is extremely popular during the spring and summer especially with families, also with the excellent function room it is also popular for private hire such as weddings, parties etc.

The business is currently being run by the owner full-time, 1 chef and 1 front of house fulltime and 4 part-time staff.

Due to health reasons our vendor clients have reluctantly decided to sell the business.

We are advised that accounts declare takings of £363,916 (incl. VAT) for year ending January 2022 (for approx. 9 months trading due to covid restrictions – projected T/O for 12 months trading would be circa £484,000 incl VAT). Extra income from room rental is circa £8,400 p.a. gross. Advised turnover circa £450,000 (incl. VAT) year-end January 2018 (pre-covid).

There is massive growth potential to build upon this already successful business by promoting the excellent outside facilities, holding festivals, family days and BBQ’s etc, promoting the function room for weddings, private hire and corporate use, also by extending the opening hours and by utilising the old pool room for a games or family room, continuing with the weekly quizzes and introducing more entertainment such as live music and open mic nights, also possible theme nights.

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

The property was viewed by Geoff Bryan who would be delighted to discuss further details and can be contacted on 07887 571720.

Viewing appointments must be made via Guy Simmonds on 01332 865112 or by emailing sales@guysimmonds.co.uk

Details Prepared: August 2022