Idyllic and Picturesque Country Pub In Runcorn For Sale

Business description

RENOWNED AS THE NICEST PUB IN RUNCORN

AN IDYLLIC AND PICTURESQUE 18TH CENTURY COUNTRY HOSTELRY NESTLED UP IN THE WOODLANDS UNOPPOSED AND DETACHED WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF LOCAL TRADE AND ‘MASSIVE FOOD DESTINATION POTENTIAL’

> Y/E April’07 Sales of £261,822 inc. vat - 90% Wet with huge opportunity to turn this business into a classic ‘Food Destination Hostelry’
> Newly Landscaped externals (50+) including lawns, paved pathways, flower beds, flagged patio and new smoking shelter
> Contemporary internals comprise Main Bar (50+V) with fixed seating and FSTV, Games Room (20+V) and excellent raised Function Room (30) with patio doors to the Beer Garden
> Well appointed 3 d/bed owners accommodation with wonderful views over the surrounding countryside
> Protected & renewable 10 year lease from April’02 (option for new 10 year lease for buyer if desired) partially tied- beer & bottle beer

IDEALLY LOCATED THIS FABULOUS ENGLISH COUNTRY PUB POSSESSES FAMILY ATTRACTION OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED AT A MOST REALISTIC PRICE OF £39,950 LEASE ASSIGNMENT PARTIALLY TIED TO INCLUDE FIXTURES AND FITTINGS, GOODWILL PLUS S.A.V


“back page”

LOCATION (WA7 4PR)
Nestled up in the woods of Higher Runcorn with a plethora of local trade this glorious property occupies an ideal location adjacent to the Runcorn Hill Park locally known as the ‘Big Park’ with Ranger centre, tennis courts, water feature and foot paths for local walkers.
The industrial town of Runcorn stands on the south bank of the Mersey Estuary, where it narrows to form the Runcorn Gap. The 1868 Runcorn Railway Bridge across the Mersey gave the town direct railway access to the rest of the country. In 1894 the Manchester Ship Canal opened, allowing ocean-going vessels to travel as far as Salford and some of these ships used the Port of Runcorn. In 1905 Runcorn and Widnes, on the north bank of the Mersey, were given direct vehicular access for the first time with the opening of the Widnes-Runcorn Transporter Bridge. In 1961 this was replaced by the Runcorn Bridge, commonly known as the Silver Jubilee Bridge – the largest steel arch bridge in Europe. Nearby Runcorn ‘Ski centre’ is situated in 800 acres of landscaped park with 3 ski slopes and amenities.
Other local attractions include the Civil War scarred Halton Castle, “The Brindley” - the town's brand new arts centre beside the Bridgwater Canal with a 400+ auditorium plus workshop and display areas, and Runcorn Golf Club.
Halton Lea Shopping Centre just down the road in Runcorn New Town was the first American-style shopping mall to open in the UK.
The Travellers Rest is ideally placed close to the local expressways and within 2 miles of the M56 J12, has plenty of local amenities and a good selection of local schools.


PROPERTY DESCRIPTION
Built in the 18th century this magnificent Grade II Listed building offers a host of period charm and character. Large Stone windows with brick construction set under pitched slate roofs with panoramic views all around.
In the ‘olden days’ the cellar once led to a tunnel for the monks to smuggle goods to Weston Point.
Recently redecorated the trading areas comprise a traditional MAIN BAR (50+V) with contemporary furniture set on carpet flooring, fixed perimeter seating under large stone windows, tall bar stools, spare darts throw and large FSTV showing the popular football games via legal foreign channel.
Adjacent is the open plan GAMES ROOM (20+V) with Pool Table set on laminate flooring, perimeter seating and games m/c.
Climb the short wooden stairwell with spindled balustrade from the Bar to the charming open plan FUNCTION ROOM (30+). A recent brick built extension to the building with patio doors leading to the landscaped beer garden. This very popular room has a heavily beamed open aspect ceiling overlooking the solid oak floor and brick feature internal walls with darts throw.
CENTRAL BAR SERVERY is of Decorative Solid wood construction with olde worlde ornate glass canopy, polished brass hand and foot rails, polished timber top offering an excellent and varied range of Real Ale Hand Pulls and Bright Ale Pumps. Electronic tills in place.
Tiled LADIES and GENTS TOILETS with DISABLED Facilities to the
Ground floor. Separate BEER CELLARS for barrels and kegs with Ground floor access.
CATERING KITCHEN is fully equipped and attended to with separate Glass Wash and larder store to the rear and outside building with Fridges and Freezers.



OWNERS ACCOMMODATION
Bright, Airy and very pleasant owners accommodation is located to the first floor comprising 3 large d/bed, large kitchen and landing, bathroom and separate private garden area.

EXTERNALS
Resplendent landscaped rear aspects (50+) with new lawns interlinked by paved pathways and flower beds. This would provide an ideal area for a children’s play area with secure fencing surrounded by woodland. Extra land is present that could also be used as an extension to the beer garden.
A flagged patio area houses wooden benches with a new timber smoking shelter.
To the frontage is a raised flagged patio set on the retaining wall with perimeter bench seating and two picnic benches overlooking the car park and beyond.
Good private car park for over 20 vehicles and tarmac steps leading down to the roadway below for the locals/walkers.

PREMISES LICENSES
We are advised that the Premises License allows opening for 12.00 – 23.00 Sun – Thurs, 12.00 – 24.00 Fri/Sat and the business currently trades as per license.
A Personal License will be required and our training associates can assist with this for you along with other licensed retail training inc BII courses.

TENURE
The business is being offered with the benefit of a 10 year assignable LEASE commencing April 2002 from GRS with a current rent of £33,000. The lease is fully protected under the Landlord & Tenant Act and therefore fully renewable at its end for a further 10 years at no further cost. We are advised by the client that the landlord is prepared to offer a new 10 year lease to the new purchaser from the outset.

SERVICES
We are advised that the pub benefits from mains electric, gas, water and sewage with Gas central heating. Business rates are advised as £5,340 pa payable.


THE BUSINESS
Our sole trader client has run the business for over 5 years and due to personal reasons is now seeking a career change but probably still remain within the licensed trade.
The business has a very strong wet trade and is highly popular with the locals and renowned as ‘the nicest pub in Runcorn’. The food offerings are all fresh and home-made and the hostelry has recently featured as ‘The Best Decorated Pub at Christmas’ in the Pub Guide.
This Business is ideally located and housed within a magnificent building that would make an ideal ‘Food Destination Hostelry’ attracting business from afar from families to couples alike with a little marketing input.
Our client has made the wet trade highly popular by introducing many different themes e.g. weekly karaoke and disco nights, poker nights, local church weddings, christenings and funeral receptions. The pub also plays home to Pool, Darts and Cricket teams, the local Golf Society and features on the www.runcornpubs.co.uk website.
We have accounts to Y/E April’’07 that show Sales of £261,823 inc. vat – 90% wet with recon net profits, after personal and one off expenses etc. of circa £21,000 for the year. Accounts for Y/E April’08 are due shortly and expected to show similar figures. Previous years when our client lived on site showed annual Sales well in excess of £300,000 again with little dry trade demonstrating the huge potential to hand.


AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY WAITING FOR AN ENTHUSIASTIC COUPLE TO MARKET THE ‘FOOD DESTINATION POTENTIAL’ AND FULLY CAPITALISE ON THIS SPLENDID HOSTELRY

Property information

Property:

Leasehold