Highlander Hotel In Buckie For Sale

Business description

The Highlander Hotel is an attractive and very substantial Victorian property dating back to the 1880s. The business has been transformed under the stewardship of the current proprietors presenting the property in excellent condition. This family operated business extends a warm and friendly welcome to all of its clientele. A well established trading entity it offers a smart range of modern facilities which appeal to a broad base of visitors. With a wide range of tastefully decorated and appointed public rooms, quality and comfort go hand-in-hand and this is complemented by a high level of service across the three income streams of food, beverage and accommodation. From a commanding roadside position the Hotel is ideally situated in the popular fishing town of Buckie attracting a variety of passing trade. A short walk takes guests to the shore line and leads to the active small harbour. Enjoying a prime central site in the town the property benefits from year-round trading. This venture has in the past operated fully as a commercial hotel but the present owners, who are poised to retire from the licensed trade, run the business on a “home and income” lifestyle basis. They find that the present method of operation has suited them perfectly affording them the time to spend with their grand children whilst maintaining a highly profitable business. Historically the Hotel generated a greater volume of trade than it does now as the present trading hours have been restricted. New owners could chose to increase the trading patterns to increase profitability or maintain the current level of activity providing a good level of income.
Income is derived from beverage sales through the very smart lounge bar / games room plus the active restaurant. The attractive restaurant supports a range of dining alternatives in the evening, however, the business is closed throughout the day during the week and lunchtime, catering presents a distinct development opportunity. This is reflective of the present owner’s choice of operation as there is a significant level of demand for food and beverage sales during lunchtimes. High quality accommodation is provided from 6 well-presented, comfortable letting bedrooms, all of which benefit from smart décor and modern en-suite or private facilities. The welcome offered by the Hotel has encouraged a number of regular repeat guests, including a broad mix of businessmen, tourists and sportsmen.
The bustling north east town of Buckie sits on the Moray Firth and has a working harbour. The area is ever popular with a wide range of visitors whether golfing, fishing or enjoying the rich flora and fauna of the area. Golf is a great attraction in the area and there is a great choice of courses locally. Ornithologists and naturalists are not short of interests here including bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth and the scenic north east coast has always been a popular tourist destination whether as a convenient base to explore numerous distilleries or to visit archaeological sites and historic castles.
The present proprietors bought the Hotel in July 2005 and it has provided them with a rewarding and enjoyable lifestyle to date. Running the business to suit their own trading preferences has resulted in repeat trade and the forging of friendships with regular guests. It is the owners’ desire to retire from the licensed trade and spend more time with their extended family that brings this highly desirable property and business opportunity to the market.
The Property
The Highlander Hotel is a detached property of traditional stone construction under a slate roof built circa 1880. A substantial building with a small area of flat roofing the building has accommodation arranged over 3 levels.
Public Areas
The main entrance to the Hotel is via a double-glazed outer door which looks onto the main road and opens into an entrance portico off which a glazed inner doorway leads into the main reception hallway. With a combination of original tiling and wood flooring the initial impression is one of quality and comfort. From the reception hallway to the right is a small self-contained dining area which is presented with modern furnishing and well-appointed lighting. This bright room which can accommodate 24 diners is mainly used for small private functions and breakfast provision. The tastefully decorated restaurant which is set to 32 covers has superb quality furnishings providing an excellent ambience from where to enjoy the freshly produced meals from the balanced and appetising menu. The welcoming restaurant has a relaxed character assisted by a smart range of modern wall and ceiling lighting.
The lounge bar has a great deal of character with a tasteful nautical theme. The bar is well-stocked and has a coffee service point plus an additional store. This modern facility has a good range of soft furnishings and represents the forward thinking attitude of the vendors. To the rear of the bar is a smart games room which presently has a pool table which is popular with both visitors and locals alike. These areas are appointed with a number of TVs and gaming machines. The bar also has a darts board lane. There is also a small sunroom for those guests wanting a quiet afternoon coffee or some time away from the busier public areas. Conveniently located for all trading areas are modern restroom facilities for ladies, gents and disabled guests plus baby changing facilities. The entrance hallway stairs lead up to the 6 letting bedrooms.
LETTING BEDROOMS
The Hotel has 6 letting bedrooms to sleep 15 guests (1 family room, 1 triple room and 4 double/twin rooms). These are all well-appointed and most comfortable; 5 with modern en-suite facilities and 1 with private facilities. Rooms have central heating, tea/coffee making facilities, bathroom sundries and colour digital Freeview television.
OWNER’S ACCOMMODATION
At present the owner’s retain a suit of room on the third floor comprising of a double bedroom, sitting room and bathroom. There is scope to extend the family accommodation should new owners feel that they need greater family space. Plans can be made available to interested parties after viewing.
Service Areas
The Hotel has a particularly well equipped and ergonomically laid out commercial kitchen, washing-up area and still room. On the ground floor there is a laundry and well laid out beer cellar. There is an office facility on the first floor; this room could be brought back into use as a standard letting bedroom should new owners wish to generate more letting capacity.
Grounds
The Hotel benefits from a well maintained private enclosed garden to the rear of the property with a paved area including bench seating plus a grassed area with flower borders. This area is a popular area in the summer and has floodlighting. There is parking for 4 cars to the rear of the Hotel plus there is on-road parking to the front of the premises. A double garage to the rear of the property is used by the owner’s.
Services
The Hotel benefits from mains electricity, gas, water supply and drainage. The subjects have double glazing and gas fired central heating throughout. The property is fully fire compliant and has CCTV coverage throughout the ground floor trading areas.
Licences
The business has been granted a premises licence in accordance with The Licensing Scotland Act 2005 and details of the Operating Plan will be made available after viewing.
Trade
The Highlander Hotel is an easily run lifestyle business with turnover IRO £255,000 with a good profit conversion rate. Full accounting information will be made available to seriously interested parties subsequent to formal viewing.
Price
Offers over £320,000 are invited for the heritable property complete with goodwill and trade contents (according to inventory), excluding personal items. Stock at valuation.

Property information

Property:

Freehold

Living accommodation:

OWNER’S ACCOMMODATION At present the owner’s retain a suit of room on the third floor comprising of a double bedroom, sitting room and bathroom. There is scope to extend the family accommodation should new owners feel that they need greater family space. Plans can be made available to interested parties after viewing.

Location:

The bustling north east town of Buckie sits on the Moray Firth and has a working harbour. The area is ever popular with a wide range of visitors whether golfing, fishing or enjoying the rich flora and fauna of the area. Golf is a great attraction in the area and there is a great choice of courses locally. Ornithologists and naturalists are not short of interests here including bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth and the scenic north east coast has always been a popular tourist destination whether as a convenient base to explore numerous distilleries or to visit archaeological sites and historic castles.
DIRECTIONS
Elgin 17 miles, Aberdeen 62, Inverness 55

Premises details:

The Property
The Highlander Hotel is a detached property of traditional stone construction under a slate roof built circa 1880. A substantial building with a small area of flat roofing the building has accommodation arranged over 3 levels.
Public Areas
The main entrance to the Hotel is via a double-glazed outer door which looks onto the main road and opens into an entrance portico off which a glazed inner doorway leads into the main reception hallway. With a combination of original tiling and wood flooring the initial impression is one of quality and comfort. From the reception hallway to the right is a small self-contained dining area which is presented with modern furnishing and well-appointed lighting. This bright room which can accommodate 24 diners is mainly used for small private functions and breakfast provision. The tastefully decorated restaurant which is set to 32 covers has superb quality furnishings providing an excellent ambience from where to enjoy the freshly produced meals from the balanced and appetising menu. The welcoming restaurant has a relaxed character assisted by a smart range of modern wall and ceiling lighting.
The lounge bar has a great deal of character with a tasteful nautical theme. The bar is well-stocked and has a coffee service point plus an additional store. This modern facility has a good range of soft furnishings and represents the forward thinking attitude of the vendors. To the rear of the bar is a smart games room which presently has a pool table which is popular with both visitors and locals alike. These areas are appointed with a number of TVs and gaming machines. The bar also has a darts board lane. There is also a small sunroom for those guests wanting a quiet afternoon coffee or some time away from the busier public areas. Conveniently located for all trading areas are modern restroom facilities for ladies, gents and disabled guests plus baby changing facilities. The entrance hallway stairs lead up to the 6 letting bedrooms.
LETTING BEDROOMS
The Hotel has 6 letting bedrooms to sleep 15 guests (1 family room, 1 triple room and 4 double/twin rooms). These are all well-appointed and most comfortable; 5 with modern en-suite facilities and 1 with private facilities. Rooms have central heating, tea/coffee making facilities, bathroom sundries and colour digital Freeview television.

Business Operation

Reasons for selling:

The owners wish to retire and spend more time with their extended family.

Trading hours:

Open all year, hours according to license.

Years established:

The present proprietors bought the Hotel in July 2005 and it has provided them with a rewarding and enjoyable lifestyle to date.

Other information

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