Asking price: £625,000

Sales revenue: £1,000,000

Net profit: Undisclosed

Fixtures value: Undisclosed

Stock value: Undisclosed

Business description
This successful interior design business, based in the South East of England was started nearly twenty years ago and has grown to its current turnover in excess of £1 million for the 2003/4 financial year.

The business has a well-deserved reputation for offering a comprehensive range of interior design services. From conception to completion, it offers an inspired and very personal service, with designers working alongside customers to deliver a high quality, individualised design from a large range of materials and furnishings from leading brands as well as from lesser-known and exclusive design houses.

Location
The business operates from three premises. With a prominent window display, the first, a retail outlet is situated on a busy High Street in one of the UK’s prettiest market towns. Over two floors the premises are 600 square feet. Leasehold on a rolling six-month agreement the annual rent is £7,500.

Situated in a delightful, pretty village nearby, with a large showroom, office space, extensive display area and a pattern room, the second outlet is perfectly suited to an interior design business. An attractive garden and large external store (for excess stock and items awaiting delivery) are to the rear. Easy parking is an asset for both Clients and staff. The first floor consists of a self contained flat, which is currently rented. These premises are freehold and could be available in addition to the current asking price. Alternatively a lease would be granted, term and annual rent to be agreed.

Both retail outlets have a wide selection of high quality products for sale ranging from antiques and art to soft furnishings, modern designer furniture, lighting, rugs and mirrors. The business prides itself on securing the latest contemporary design and accessories from a wide range of suppliers. Each has a well-stocked sample library of fabrics and designs in the form of approximately 2000 pattern books across both outlets (many now unavailable) from a wide range of different designers, some offering regional exclusivity to this business including Osborne and Little, Colefax and Fowler, Designers Guild, Andrew Martin, Zimmer and Rohde etc.

A large in-house rented workroom is situated within a short distance of either retail premises. The space allows for 4 large sewing tables and machines, shelving for storing fabrics and large stocks of lining etc, storage of upholstered furniture and tracks and poles; further shelving to store curtains, pelmets, blinds etc awaiting delivery to large contracts. Parking and access to the front of these premises allows easy transfer of goods for delivery

Expansion potential
• The business’s reputation has been built by word of mouth. Significant market opportunities exist to build on the new web-site and develop relationships with design magazines and joint ventures with design houses in London. • Development of further retail outlets. • Building on the excellent reputation and Client base to diversify and establish a kitchen and bathroom design studio. • Computerisation of the business.

Competition / Market
The business has relied on its excellent reputation boosted by strong word of mouth recommendations from satisfied customers and its prominent retail locations. It regularly appears in the trade press. It has recently designed an exciting and informative web-site.

Reasons for selling
The current owner has lovingly grown the business since inception and is reaching retirement age. With two retail locations and a growing demand for the service offered the schedule can be quite punishing and the owner wishes to pass the business into a younger pair of hands that can build on the excellent foundations and continue to develop and take forward this delightful business. The Vendor can be available for a period of time after the sale to allow for full business familiarisation and training, if required.