Historic West Sussex Town Popular Coffee Shop Cafe For Sale

Business description

A very popular daytime coffee house/continental cafe in historic building with 36 covers and cobbled front courtyard for 6 tables set in truly superb position in centre of a very attractive & affluent inland county town. T/O £2,000 to £2,300pw from only 8.30-4pm M-Sat & 10-4.30pm Suns. Could open to 7pm and possible alcohol licence, if wished. Renewable lease, 7 years remain, rent only £7,500pa. Superbly refurbished in real style, fully equipped and in very desirable trading location. Low overhds, good NP for working partnership. Sale due to family commitments.

Property information

Property:

Leasehold

Lease terms:

The business is held on a renewable lease granted by the Midhurst Town Trust with approximately 6 years remaining. The current rent is £7,500 per annum and the Trust has indicated that this will not be increased in the foreseeable future.

Leasehold rent:

£7,500 per annum

Location:

This delightful and popular coffee house café is located in a historic building in the centre of a beautiful country town of in West Sussex. It is ideally placed to capture both local and tourist trade, being situated in the main market square close to shops, hotels, pubs and all the amenities of the town. There is consequently a high footfall at all times of day, with plentiful parking available in the large free car park within 100 yards of the premises.

It is surrounded by stunning countryside within the recently-designated South Downs National Park which provides a substantial catchment from its villages and hamlets. There are good road links with Chichester and the coastal cities including Portsmouth and Brighton with access to the motorway network via the A27/M3. Air travel may be reached from Gatwick and Southampton airports which are both about an hour’s drive away.

The area also boasts several well-known attractions such as the National Trust properties at Petworth and Uppark, the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum and West Dean Gardens all of which are within a short drive. Goodwood is also close by, with race meetings in the summer as well as the Festival of Speed and Revival weekends usually booked well in advance.

Premises details:

The business occupies the ground floor of the Old Town Hall; a Grade II listed building dating from the early 19th Century. The building is constructed from local ironstone with a rendered frontage featuring three large arches containing recessed windows either side of the central doorway.

The cobbled forecourt itself is currently set with 6 tables but there is space for several more, while the overhanging trees provide a delightful place to pass the time with a continental feel. Plans have been approved for a regeneration project in the market square which will enable outdoor seating to expand even further and encourage a ‘café society’ atmosphere. Special events such as a Christmas Fair, jazz evenings and outdoor entertainment are also envisaged thus attracting additional clientele to the business.

Business Operation

Expansion potential:

could open longer hours, until 7pm is permitted and could apply for alcohol licence

Reasons for selling:

sale due to family commitments

Trading hours:

For personal reasons the vendor chooses to trade during the daytime only, from 8.30 am – 4.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10.00am to 4.30pm on Sundays

Employees:

The business is operated by the owner with the assistance of a team of part time staff, many of whom have been employed for several years and know the customers well.

Years established:

9