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Established Licensed Café And Retail Business For Sale

Whitstable, Kent, UK
Asking Price:
£94,950 Furniture / Fixtures included
Turnover:
£175,000
Net Profit:
On request

An exciting opportunity to acquire a well-established independent licensed café and retail business in the Whitstable area of Kent. Established in 2016, the business has built an excellent local reputation, a loyal customer base and a strong record of consistent trading.

The business operates from attractive leasehold premises in a well-regarded commercial location. The premises are fully equipped and offer approximately 36 internal covers together with substantial private outdoor seating accommodating up to approximately 50 additional covers. The property also benefits from kitchen facilities, dedicated storage and established retail display areas.

The business combines a successful café operation with complementary retail sales, including a diverse selection of gifts. The premises are licensed for the sale of alcohol, providing an incoming owner with additional opportunities to develop the existing daytime operation. Latest completed annual turnover was approximately £175,000, with sales having grown over the last three completed financial years. Detailed financial information and accounts are available to genuine prospective purchasers following the appropriate confidentiality process.

The business currently operates five daytime trading sessions each week, providing a new owner with considerable scope to develop the operation further. Opportunities could include extending opening days or hours, making greater use of the premises licence for evening trading, developing events and private bookings, expanding online retail and developing the business's existing digital and social media presence.

The sale includes the established business and goodwill together with an extensive range of owned fixtures, fittings, furniture and operating equipment. Food and beverage stock held at completion is intended to be included, with retail gift stock available separately at valuation.

An experienced part-time team is already in place, providing continuity for a new owner. The business also benefits from established supplier relationships and a strong customer review profile.

The owners established the business almost ten years ago and have worked hard to develop it into the successful operation it is today, including successfully navigating the challenges of the Covid pandemic and continuing to grow the business afterwards.

The business is now being offered for sale solely because the owners are planning to relocate. This represents a genuine opportunity for a new owner to acquire an established operation with substantial goodwill while retaining considerable potential for further development.

Guide Price: £94,950 plus retail gift stock at valuation.

This is a strictly confidential sale. Further information, including the identity and precise location of the business, will be provided to suitably qualified prospective purchasers following completion of the appropriate confidentiality process. Prospective purchasers must not attempt to identify or approach the business, its employees, customers, suppliers or landlord directly.

Property Information

Property:

Leasehold

Lease Terms:

The business occupies the premises under a commercial lease for a fixed term from 1 October 2025 to 30 November 2035. Current rent is £12,000 per annum (£1,000 per month) subject to periodic review. The proposed sale will include assignment of the existing lease, subject to the terms of the lease, landlord's consent and satisfactory purchaser references. Full lease documentation will be made available to genuine prospective purchasers as part of the due diligence process.

Leasehold Rent:

£12,000 per annum per annum

Location:

Situated in the Whitstable area of Kent, the business occupies a prominent position within an established and well-regarded local shopping area. The location benefits from a mixture of local residents, repeat customers and visitors to the wider Whitstable area, with a range of complementary independent businesses nearby.

Premises Details:

Attractive leasehold premises providing two internal customer seating areas with approximately 36 covers, together with substantial private outdoor seating accommodating up to approximately 50 additional covers depending on layout. The premises also include a fully equipped kitchen, counter and service areas, retail display space, a large rear storeroom and additional garden storage. The business is fully equipped for its current café and retail operation and benefits from a premises licence permitting the sale of alcohol. Annual rent is £12,000.

Planning Consent:

Details available on request. Purchaser to satisfy themselves as to planning and permitted use.

Energy Performance Rating:
C

Business Operation

Management type:
This business is owner operated.
Expansion Potential:

Considerable potential exists for an incoming owner to develop the business beyond its current operating model. The business presently trades only five daytime sessions per week, Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Opportunities include opening on currently closed days, extending daytime hours, making greater use of the existing premises licence for evening trading, developing private events and group bookings, introducing additional food and drink occasions, expanding online retail and gift sales, and further developing the business's established website and social media presence.

The substantial private outdoor seating also provides additional seasonal opportunities. These possibilities have not been fully exploited by the current owners and provide genuine scope for a new owner to develop turnover further.

Competition / Market:

The wider Whitstable area has an active independent café and hospitality market. However, the business has traded successfully for almost ten years and has established a loyal customer base, strong repeat trade and an excellent local reputation. Its combination of café, licensed premises, retail offering and substantial private outdoor seating helps differentiate the business. A new owner would be expected to continue responding to normal competition through quality, customer service, product development and effective marketing.

Reasons for selling:

Genuine relocation sale. After almost ten years of building and operating the business, the owners have decided that the time is right for the next chapter and are planning to relocate. The business remains fully operational and the decision to sell is not due to financial distress or a deterioration in the underlying business.

Trading hours:

Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00am–4:00pm
Sunday and Monday: Closed

Employees:
4
Years established:
10

Other Information

Support & training:

The owners are willing to provide an agreed handover and familiarisation period following completion to help ensure a smooth transition for the purchaser. This can include introductions to key suppliers, familiarisation with day-to-day operating procedures, equipment and systems, product ranges, ordering processes and other practical aspects of running the business.

An experienced part-time team is already in place, providing additional operational continuity for an incoming owner.

The precise nature and duration of the owners' post-completion support can be agreed with the purchaser as part of the sale negotiations.

Furniture / Fixtures value:
£25,000 - included in the asking price