DESCRIPTION
The Laggan Stores Coffee Bothy and Gallery is an outstanding business and property in a prominent roadside location offering a popular service to an increasing customer base. During recent years there has been significant investment into the property and business which has resulted in a beautifully presented business and home. The subjects date from around 1870 but with the enhancements made, the subjects reflect a high standard of facilities and comfort. Key to these recent improvements has been the introduction of central heating and double glazing plus a modernisation and decoration throughout most aspects of the building.
A charming feature of the property is the cosy snug area with a multi-fuel stove and tiled floors offering a pleasing ambience. For some people they will recall this well-known property from the BBC hit series “Monarch of the Glen,” and will recognise it as “MacKechnies”, the Glenbogle village shop. Internally, the sales area and café extend to around 70m2. External seating is provided for walkers, cyclists and visitors to the area to take a well-earned rest and some sustenance. The business benefits from a separate building which sits across from the main premises. Part of this flexible asset is currently let out as a storage unit. Adjacent to this property is a lock-up gas compound which is currently used for storage however has plenty of development potential subject to planning consents.
An attractive aspect of this substantial property is the owner’s accommodation which is located on the first and second floors. This spacious, well-presented 2/3-bedroom flat has benefitted from complete renovation in recent years. The trading elements and living accommodation combine to make this a most attractive opportunity for someone looking for a quality-of-life business.
Situated in an exceptional area of natural beauty with a high level of passing trade on the A86, Newtonmore to Spean Bridge Road, this is a true lifestyle operation. The present owners undertake trading 5 days out of seven, closing Wednesdays and Thursdays. The business caters for a year-round customer base barring a few weeks of closure for holidays etc. The mainstay of trade is generated in the tourist peak season between Easter and October. The business also serves the local communities along the Glen and the broader areas of Newtonmore, Kingussie, Roy Bridge and Spean Bridge.
TRADE
This is a highly profitable and growing business which offers a license cafe which includes a range of snacks and beverages. The business opens 10 am to 5 pm Thursday and Saturday to Monday, being closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. In recent times the owners have also offered evening bar meals on Fridays only, which has surpassed their own expectations with bookings usually ranging from 18 - 28 covers per evening and sometimes even more. The business is open from 9.30 am to 10 pm on Fridays. In addition, the business is now well-established with the sale of photographic prints and gifts. Internally the cafe is arranged in a ‘U’ shape, with a multi-fuel stove at one end of the café. The internal seating can accommodate around 24 customers and there are 4 picnic benches and 3 tables externally providing seating for up to 30 people. There is significant potential for new motivated owners to drive the business to a higher level of trade through the extension of opening hours and trading 7 days a week. The popularity of evening meals, offers a further business development opportunity.
The business generates much of its trade through local recommendations plus its own website (www.lagganstores.co.uk) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/laggancoffeebothy) to generate custom. Laggan Coffee Bothy and Gallery has a strong reputation which is supported by comments on review websites.
STAFF
The café employs up to 4 part-time members of staff during the peak season.
THE PROPERTY
The main property is of traditional construction under a pitched slate roof with accommodation arranged over three levels, dating from circa 1870. A separate building of block construction beneath a pitched roof with secure outside facilities is situated across the road to the main building. The property is double glazed and has been extensively upgraded in recent years, presenting the business and accommodation in walk-in condition.
TRADING AREAS
From a prominent roadside location in the village, the premises have a well-signed frontage and easy access at street level. The café has two large picture windows to the front. The main sales counter is set to a central position and displays a wide range of food items whilst providing sensible security coverage of the sales area. Tables and chairs are situated just inside the main entrance door plus there is additional seating through to the side of this area; in total encompassing around 24 covers. In addition, there is a wide range of displays and merchandise shelving depicting the goods on offer. The café has a new servery counter (2021), coffee machine (2020) and grinder (2018). The kitchen to the rear of the servery counter is perfectly well laid out to support the trading aspects of the business. Most of the equipment within the kitchen is new and the business has purchased a range of new fridges and freezers in recent times. There is a utility storage cupboard. The main store-room is located outwith the main shop immediately across the road. In this locality is an LPG gas bottle store which was recently refenced.
GROUNDS
The business is a substantial property with a large footprint and prominent roadside frontage. To the front aspects are picnic benches which allow customers to take their refreshments alfresco. Unrestricted roadside parking provides for customer needs plus there is a public car park within a 1-minute walk. Across the road from the main building is a block constructed building with a pitched roof. This detached building is currently being let out as a retail unit but offers scope for a wide range of business uses. This property has power but no drainage facilities at present. Adjacent to the building is a gas bottle compound. To the rear of the main building is a new area of private decking for owner’s private use only.
SERVICES
The business benefits from mains electricity, water and drainage. The property is mainly double glazed.
