8448L

• A characterful Grade II listed Inn located on the village green in beautiful sought-after Litton in the Derbyshire Peak District National Park surrounded by rolling countryside, other affluent villages, walks, Holiday lets and many tourist attractions.
• Bar (circa 30+ plus standing) with views of the village green, exposed wooden ceiling beams, 2 log burners in carved stone fireplaces, wood panelled walls, exposed stone walling and 5 cask ales on offer.
• Snug (circa 12) with solid oak floor, wood panelled walls and delightful views right across the village green and beyond.
• Back Room (circa 16) with exposed stones walls, flagstone floor, open coal fire and a darts throw.
• 2 immaculately presented and popular En-suite letting rooms.
• Al fresco garden area to include the village green to the front (circa 60+) with wooden picnic benches, floral planters and baskets and stunning views of the surrounding countryside; On street parking available throughout the village.
• Fully equipped commercial catering kitchen with 5* EHO rating and prep room.
1-bedroom owners’ accommodation with private garden area and private access.
• Advised turnover circa £593,507 (incl. VAT) for year ending 30th September 2022 with excellent Net and reconstituted net profits.
• Trade split: 45% Food sales; 45% Wet sales; 10% Letting Accommodation.
• Well respected renewable and totally ‘free of tie’ Stonegate Group lease.
• Winner of Sheffield & District CAMRA’s Pub of the Year award for the Derbyshire District area 2023.
• Retirement sale.

Location

This fabulous inn is located directly on the green in the affluent and sought-after Derbyshire Peak District village of Litton. The village itself also has a Post Office and community run shop, a sought-after Primary school, a church, a chapel and village hall and numerous holiday lets. Nearby points of interest include the tourist magnets of Buxton, Bakewell and Castleton and the stately home of Chatsworth House is only a short and picturesque drive away. The Peak District National Park authority estimate around 10 million people visit the area annually. The National Park covers 555 square miles & 12% of the park is owned by the National Trust, a charity which aims to conserve historic and natural landscapes. This desirable business is uniquely located in a stunning position. The superb demographics result in a huge influx of tourist trade – in addition to being surrounded by affluent villages resulting in excellent local and passing trade. With many tourist attractions and campsites nearby and frequented by walkers and ramblers all year-round make this a highly desirable and sought-after location. The local road networks include the A6 and a series of other ‘A’ roads that provide access around this simply stunning county.

THE PROPERTY

The Grade II listed property is of stone construction sitting under a pitched, slate apex roof. A small entrance porch to the front provides access to the corridor linked trading areas. These are presented in excellent condition and are simply bursting with character and rustic charm. The trading areas consist of:

Bar (circa 30+ plus standing) is a delightful 2 section room with views of the village green and a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Loose wooden tables, chairs and stools are complimented by scatter cushion covered perimeter wall bench seating sitting beneath exposed wooden beams to the ceiling. The room has wood panelled walls, areas of carpet and concrete flooring, 2 log burners set in carved stone fireplaces and areas of exposed stone walls. Books and games sit to one side waiting to be used and there is a bar server of wood and stone construction with 5 cask ales on offer.

Snug (circa 12) is a lovely little room overlooking the village green and has loose tables and chairs sitting on a solid oak floor complimented by wood panelled walls and ceiling beams.

Back Room (circa 16) is a characterful room with loose tables, chairs and wooden bench pews all sitting on an attractive flagstone floor. To the side wall is a roaring open coal fire set in an exposed stone-built fireplace with darts throw above. Ladies and Gents W.C.’s.

There is a 5* EHO rated fully equipped commercial catering Kitchen with stainless-steel appliances and surfaces (appliances not tested). There is also a dry goods store, wash up, fridge/freezer storage room and separate prep room. Ground Floor Cellar with python, remote and pumps etc.

OWNERS ACCOMMODATION

The owner’s accommodation has private access and situated on the 1st floor. This briefly comprises of: 1 double bedroom, Lounge/kitchen, Shower Room and a utility room. There is also a good sized enclosed private garden area to the rear.

LETTING ACCOMMODATION

Located on the 1st floor are 2 highly delightful En-suite letting rooms (both double). All have HDTV, Tea & Coffee making facilities and Wi-Fi, currently attract £105 per night and are extremely popular all year round.

EXTERNAL

To the front of the property directly outside the front door are several wooden picnic benches (circa 24) set beneath colourful hanging baskets and planters creating an enviable place to sit and watch the world go by. Immediately in front of that is the beautiful village green with further picnic benches (circa 36) permitted by mutual agreement with the Parish Council enabling this area to be used by the pub. On street parking is available directly outside the property and all throughout the village.

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 - Fri 12noon to midnight

Sat/Sun 24 hours

Current opening hours are:

Mon – Sun 12noon to 10pm

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 4½ years remaining of the well-respected Stonegate Group (Ex EI) full repairing and insuring, renewable agreement. We are advised that the inn is ‘totally free of tie’ on all products and that the rent is currently circa £51,838 per annum increasing annually in line with RPI. We are also 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 mains services (no services seen or tested). Business rates payable are advised as currently being circa TBA per annum.

THE BUSINESS

The current owner took over the property in 2014 and has since created a highly profitable business offering quality drinks and ales complimented by locally sourced home cooked food and comfortable accommodation to a loyal, repeat and desirable clientele. The business is currently operated by our vendor client assisted by circa 2 full time and circa 12 part time/casual members of staff. It sits at the heart of the local community and is a regular listing in the Good Beer Guide. Recognised by CAMRA in 2018 by winning the district award it has also received cask marque accreditation and exceptional reviews. The business also plays host to a monthly quiz, an immensely popular annual beer festival and on occasions has hosted wedding parties. We are advised that accounts declare takings of circa £593,507 inclusive of VAT for year ending 30th September 2022 achieved on a trade split of 45% Wet sales, 45% Food sales and 10% accommodation. With excellent net profits alone, we calculate reconstituted net profits after adding back Directors and depreciation to be in excess of £90,000. New owners could continue to operate the business using the same highly successful formula or they may wish to take the business to the next level. In our opinion this could be achieved by further marketing of the letting room to include speciality accommodation packages etc accompanied by ideas from their business plan. In our opinion, this business would suit a front of house/chef couple who have experience of working in a similar environment.

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

This business was viewed by Richard Fletcher who would be delighted to discuss further details and can be contacted on 07865 348375.

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

Details prepared March 2023.