DJ Chippie is situated within a substantial Victorian building, presenting a modern and attractive business proposition. Set in a most prominent trading location within the vibrant and thriving Highland community of Dufftown, the village is a popular tourist destination which generates a high level of passing trade throughout the year and is exceptionally busy during the main tourist season. Dufftown is the central point on the whisky trail around the glens of Speyside and the location of this business is ideal. The chippie, café and accommodation offer a true quality home and lifestyle business operation. The restaurant trading elements are located on the ground floor and extend to about 229m2 with well-appointed customer service areas and excellent storage and preparation rooms. The business previously produced an excellent range of freshly prepared cooked items.
An attractive feature of this sale is the flat which has a separate private entrance with most spacious living accommodation including 7 double bedrooms. This excellent accommodation is presented in very good condition and offers great flexibility either for an extended family or to be used as letting accommodation. Dufftown is a thriving area being located on the whisky trail and the potential to develop this apartment into an income generating business utilising Airbnb or Booking.com is tremendous. Prior to semi-retirement the flat was let out by the owners and was very popular. There is a demand for larger holiday homes and facilities for group bookings and the flat is well located to provide this.
REASON FOR SALE
The vendors purchased the property in Nov 2003 and it is their retirement that brings this attractive business and lifestyle proposition to the market.
TRADE
Previously operating on a year-round basis, the business traded, through choice, within the Flat Rate VAT scheme. The vendors traded on a restricted basis to suit their personal preferences opening at the following times only:
Monday - Closed
Tuesday - 4:30 to 8 p.m.
Wednesday - 4:30 to 8 p.m.
Thursday - 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Friday - 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday - 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Sunday - 4:30 to 8 p.m.
These restricted trading hours were operated to maintain turnover to around £109,000 to £120,000 by choice making the business a lifestyle operation. Profit for the year to March 2018 is c£22,000. There is undoubted scope to open longer hours, providing lunches and a full-day café service, as there is strong demand in the main season from the large number of accommodation providers in the region. The business is supported by local residents and the influx of tourists during the main season (April to October). The present configuration of the café allows for the serving of up to 21 customers at free-standing tables and chairs. The fish and chip shop aspects benefit from a triple fryer and an excellent range of support equipment throughout the business. The owners previously traded with the support of a small team of local staff.
TRADE SUPPORT
The vendors would be pleased to provide a good level of support in the handover of the business to new owners.
THE PROPERTY
DJ Chippie is a three storey Victorian stone building under a pitched slate roof which was built in the late 1800s. The property is located on the main street with entry at street level to the fish and chip shop and café. The living accommodation is set to the first and second floors but with a street level private entrance. The business elements are well signed and the building has an attractive frontage.
THE CHIPPIE
The chip shop has its own entrance which leads into the main customer service area. The shop is presented in excellent decorative order with a Frank Ford triple fryer and display unit to the fore. To the side is a customer pay-point and to the rear is a counter which is set to a double pizza oven, kebab machine etc. There is ample fridge and freezer storage including a drinks chiller. Immediately to the rear of the shop a doorway leads to a pizza preparation area with two additional rooms off to the right. The first is a food storage and preparation area with freezers etc. and a preparation sink. Next to that is a bespoke ‘tattie’ preparation room which has a ‘tattie rumbler’ and chipper for the production of freshly made chips; there is a double sink in this room.
To the rear of this is a large storage area with a modern walk-in freezer and plenty of room for all dry stocks plus there is an office space. Off this is a further substantial storage room which is used as a general store; this room gives access to the rear of the premises in to a courtyard. Accessed from the courtyard are three external rooms which offer some development potential. Internally there is a staff locker room and W.C.
THE CAFÉ
Access is gained from street level to the main customer service area. Upon entry it is evident that the business is well-presented throughout with modern fixtures and fittings. The main customer area is set to free-standing tables and chairs. In total the restaurant area comfortably seats around 21 covers. Off the café is a kitchen which is well-appointed; much of the prepared food is generated through the fish and chip shop. There is a disabled / unisex W.C. for customer use.
GROUNDS
The business has no grounds as such but utilises a yard to the rear of the property for the storage of bins etc. Parking is to the front of the subjects on-street without restriction.
SERVICES
Mains electricity, water, gas and drainage. The property benefits from gas-fired central heating; and is mainly double glazed. The business is fully fire compliant and meets all environmental health requirements.
