Southview House For Sale

Business description

Offers Around: £947,500 Freehold

Glorious Victorian Lakeland guest house with pool. 10 individually furnished en suite bedrooms (6 luxury). Heated indoor swimming pool. £145,444 net t/o – B&B only. Southview was originally built in 1845 by Thomas Swainson, a local soft drink manufacturer. He chose the site well as it gave a superb, elevated view out over the village and the picturesque fells beyond. For over 30 years, this traditionally built property has been run as a guest house to serve the increasing needs of the tourist industry, but it was only over the last 10 years that it has been modernised and extended into the unique property it is today. Firstly the 24” heated indoor swimming pool was added and subsequently the 4 really spacious, luxury bedrooms were also added. Additionally, there is excellent one bedroom owners’ accommodation, which can easily be supplemented by the use of further letting bedrooms if required. Only a short walk from the train and bus stations as well as the village centre, Southview is an easily-run guest house, ideal for the first time entrant to the hospitality industry and is unique as the only small guesthouse in the area to feature an indoor swimming pool, giving it the capability to attract guests all year round. Windermere Village has largely developed around the tourist industry and is only a 20 minute walk from Bowness Bay and Lake Windermere – England’s longest lake. This is the hub of the tourist industry for the south of the Lake District National Park and elegant steamers plough its 10 miles of navigable water from Ambleside to the steam trains at Lakeside. Above Windermere Village is the outstanding viewpoint at Orest Head, the first summit climbed by legendary walker Alfred Wainwright on his first visit to the Lake District in 1930, all of which help to attract visitors over an ever increasing tourist season. Acquired in 2006 by the present owners, they have extensively upgraded this superb property, dramatically improving the interior quality and décor to compliment the spacious bedrooms. Importantly, they have also shown the potential of Southview by raising the turnover and profitability of the business, yet operating it on a bed and breakfast basis making it ideal for either a first time entrant to the hospitality industry or the more experienced owner seeking a more relaxed operation. Having enjoyed their time at Southview House, the owners now wish to move closer to their family.

THE PROPERTY
Being of rendered construction and under a slate roof, the main part of the property is of 3 storey construction. The indoor leisure suite and the modern, luxury bedrooms are both of single storey construction under a tiled roof.

PUBLIC AREAS
Bright entrance hall and reception desk. Main breakfast room, usually set for 12, a delightful bay window and original fitted cupboard and cornice. Conservatory used as a breakfast room usually set for 6 and with delightful views out over the village. Dining room with multi-fuel stove set in feature surround and having a bay window, original cupboard and cornice. Indoor leisure suite, incorporating a heated swimming pool (24’ x 12’) and bubble-jet spa with panelled ceiling and de- humidifier. Leading to a south facing patio area. Changing room/shower room and bright hallway.

LETTING BEDROOMS
10 letting bedrooms to sleep 19 (8 double, 1 twin and 1 single). All rooms have en suite facilities and are graded as follows. 6 (luxury graded) double bedded rooms have en suite bathrooms with spa bath and shower over, luxury furnishings, and full size TV and DVD player. 1 (luxury graded) king size bedded room has a unique contemporary 4 poster bed with contemporary en suite shower room with “Body Jet” corner shower, full size TV and DVD player. The remaining 4 rooms (3 double and 1 twin) have en suite shower rooms. All bedrooms have the benefit of central heating radiator, radio/clock alarm, colour TV, hairdryer and tea and coffee making facilities.

OWNERS' ACCOMMODATION
The owners have the benefit of spacious selfcontained accommodation including a private lounge, full-width feature slate hearth to the fireplace with multi-fuel stove. Patio doors to a private patio. Double bedroom with walk-in wardrobe and large en suite bathroom with 4 piece including corner bath and double width shower.

SERVICE AREAS
Kitchen (this incorporated the owners’ dining area) with full range of modern fitted units, canopy and extraction. Private office/admin area. Wine storage. Utility room with commercial washer/dryer, fridge, freezer and dry goods store. Boiler room with WC and wash basin.

OUTSIDE
Southview has the benefit of excellent tarmac car parking for up to 11 vehicles. There is also an owners’ double length garage. To the front of the property is an attractive garden area, while there is a large, south-facing patio area reached via the leisure suite including a feature gazebo for guest use. The owners also have access to private rear patio/garden from the kitchen.

SERVICES
South Lakeland District Council at Kendal. Mains water, drainage, electricity and gas. Gas-fired central heating. The property is predominantly double glazed.

LICENCE
Premises Licence

2009 LISTINGS
visitBritain 4 Star Silver Award (Guest Accommodation)

TRADE
Certified accounts from the owners’ Chartered Accountants in the form of a Trading and Profit and Loss Account show trading profits of £80,578 (before finance costs, depreciation, wages and professional fees) on (net) t/o of £145,444 for the year ended 31 March 2008.

PRICE
Offers around £947,500 are invited for the freehold property with goodwill and trade contents (according to inventory), excluding personal items. Stockat valuation.

DIRECTIONS
Travelling north on M6 Motorway, leave at junction 36 and travel North on A590/A591 to Windermere. Take the second left hand turn into Windermere Village following into the one-way system. Turn left into Cross Street and Southview is situated at the very end of the cul-de-sac. Ambleside 5 miles, Kendal 8, Keswick 22, Manchester 84 and London 276 miles.

FINANCE
Colliers Robert Barry is able to assist prospective purchasers by introducing sources of finance if required. Whilst we do not charge the buyer for this service, we may receive an introductory commission from the lender or broker involved.

TO VIEW
All appointments to view MUST be made through the vendors' agents who are acting with sole selling rights.

Property information

Property:

Freehold