Somerset Book Shop With Long Profitable Trading History For Sale

Business description

The primary area of business is the sale of new books and around 3,000 titles are available from stock. The business has been established since 1975 and has been run by the present owners since 1992.

They have a regular customer base achieved by providing a large range of quality and specialist books with a personal service.

Any book can be ordered if it is not in stock and deliveries are normally the next day. All customers who place orders are automatically transferred to the database which can then be used for contacting customers with details of new publication or special offers etc. This data base will be passed on with the business.

A lot of custom comes from providing specialist books and one area that is very profitable is the travel section which has seen increasing trade for a number of years.
There is also a children’s section which the present owners feel could be an area for expansion. There is sufficient room in the shop to substantially increase the children’s book section. The owners used to regularly run a book club at the local schools which provided extra revenue and could easily be reinstated.

This represents an ideal opportunity to purchase a sound, long established and well respected business, this shop has virtually no competition and is in a beautiful town. One person can run this business if required.

Anyone who likes books but wanted to increase on the current volume of business could not only enjoy this attractive business as it is, but would also have several possible ways of increasing the turnover apart from extending the range of children’s books they could introduce new lines, for example these could include increasing the sale of book tokens, introducing a good range of talking books and developing an attractive marketing web site, as on-line selling is rapidly becoming the way people shop, especially younger people.
The only reason for selling is that the owners wish to retire and take a well earned rest.

Property information

Property:

Leasehold

Lease terms:

Lease until 2012 but the owners feel there would be no problem in getting a new lease.

Leasehold rent:

£11,500 per annum

Location:

This well run and profitable book shop is located on the main high street in a busy part of Nailsea with ample on street parking outside the shop.
Nailsea is a busy attractive North Somerset town just minutes from the Bristol Channel and Mendip Hills. In the 18th and 19th century Nailsea was a substantial producer of glass and gave its name to a particular type of coloured glass which has become highly sought after by collectors around the world.

In addition to a good selection of restaurants, cafes and pubs, Nailsea has a wide variety of shops but there are no other book shops. These businesses obtain their trade not only from the residents and tourists, but also from many surrounding farms and villages.

Premises details:

The shop has a glazed entrance door in the middle of two glazed display windows with an attractive blue canopy across the front of the shop making instantly recognisable.

The image created, even before the customer enters the shop, is of a fully stocked and well run book shop with an extensive range of books.

We did not measure the premises but understand the whole shop covers an area of around 859ft² or 90m².
The retail area is divided up in to three display and sales areas. The whole shop is fitted out to a high standard with floor to ceiling book shelves which can be adapted to suit any size book.

In the middle of the shop sits the till and counter area. This is deliberately left open plan with customers allowed to view the computer if choosing books to be order etc.
There is an electronic till as well as a computer system with a printer and screen.

Leading from the main sales area there is a slight slope leading down into the large travel section which also has access to a small stock room, kitchen area and the owner’s toilet.

There are book shelves against most available walls as well as central display stands. The floor is carpeted and lighting is provided by natural light and spot light fittings.

There is a second entrance door which provides access from a small covered mall of shops to the side of the property.

Size in square feet:

859

Business Operation

Expansion potential:

Anyone who likes books but wanted to increase on the current volume of business could not only enjoy this attractive business as it is, but would also have several possible ways of increasing the turnover apart from extending the range of children’s books they could introduce new lines, for example these could include increasing the sale of book tokens, introducing a good range of talking books and developing an attractive marketing web site, as on-line selling is rapidly becoming the way people shop, especially younger people.

Competition / Market:

There are no other bookshops in the town.

Reasons for selling:

The only reason for selling is that the owners wish to retire and take a well earned rest.

Trading hours:

Monday to Saturday 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Tuesday Closed

Employees:

None

Years established:

34

Other information

Support & training:

The owners will give full support to ensure a seamless transfer.

Inventory / Stock value:

£35,000

Related documents:

• 
• BS613A Confidentiality Agreeement