Asking price: £200,000

Sales revenue: £165,000

Net profit: Undisclosed

Fixtures value: Undisclosed

Stock value: Undisclosed

Business description
This is a local Trade Marked directory publication with an online local directory service, in which local residents or businesses can search for services or suppliers, by classification, name, area or postcode. They also have the ability to view all listings within a classification for the whole coverage area of the directory.

With three local directories covering three of the main centres in Hertfordshire and Buckinghmshire, these directories contain local business and services that are truly local to the locals. Users will find local information from great suggestions for where to take the children in the school holidays to your local council numbers. Classifications cover the majority of local businesses and services that are offered within the area covered by each directory.

Classifications cover the majority of local businesses and services that are offered within the area covered by each directory. This is a local company, established in June 2006, who cover the directory area all year round and as such are constantly checking data to ensure that all information is both comprehensive and accurate, making this the only publication needed and the only on-line directory necessary. With a combination of the website and printed directory there really is no need to look anywhere else for all local services and products in the areas covered. Although the company was established in 2006 the current owners have over 20 years experience in directory publishing and were fortunate to bring the vast majority of clients with them when they launched as a completely independent business nearly 3 years ago. Being local they cover the directory area all year round and, as such, are constantly checking data to ensure that all information is both comprehensive and accurate making this the only publication needed and the only on-line directory necessary. With a combination of the website and printed directory there really is no need to look anywhere else for all local services and products in the areas covered.

This business prides itself on the fact that the majority of the businesses featured, either live in, or have business premises in, one of the areas the directory is delivered to. The directories are well established and each area deliver to over 60,000 letterboxes annually within their publication areas. Above all it lives up to its name, it is a LOCAL directory, with local businesses, for local people.

The owner has reluctantly reached the decision to sell this thriving business which has excellent potential for the future, particularly to increase the areas as there is now a successful format in place. This decision has been made due to increasing family comittments.

Customer Service:

This business is proud of the service that is offered to customers. The results of this commitment are evident in the degree of return custom and the choice of this company’s service by new customers over competitors. The company ensures that client’s individual needs are met, and that close attention to detail is maintained throughout the entire process.

Key Strengths:

Built on solid foundations this business has an excellent reputation for friendly and helpful service. They believe in being flexible and meeting the individual needs of their customers rather than finding the closest matching box to fit them into. The current owner has achieved this by hard work and has an established, yet diverse, customer base, which is growing year on year through word of mouth recommendations and ongoing referrals. Not surprisingly this business can claim high levels of customer satisfaction.

Due to the high level of personal service, good distribution and in particular the way the company has been so focussed on targeting specific local areas, work is always available, ensuring growing annual turnover. The company receives consistent and regular work and has been on form financially over the years they have been established and are well positioned for strong future growth

Key Opportunities:

Built on a solid and established business model it would be very easy to roll this model out to additional areas, near to its current geographical operating region, by using this successful business template. This could provide almost unlimited growth and potential for a considerable period into the future.

There are also further opportunities to increase both turnover and profit by bringing in house those elements that are currently outsourced, for example: art work, graphics, layout and printing. Taking on an increased amount of the production will undoubtedly offer a new owner superb opportunities to further grow and increase the business’ financial base.

Financial Information:

The business is being offered for sale on a going concern basis, all financial discussions will take place directly between the vendor and all interested parties under the auspices of Turner Butler. Sales revenue is circa £165,000 per annum and the vendor feels that with a greater focus on sales and marketing combined with existing growth patterns, the business could dramatically increase its revenues. In addition the directory is Trade Marked and there is advance business constantly in hand.

Employees: In addition to the owner there is a part time data checker employed by the business.

Trading hours: The owner operates this business around current family commitments with hours to suit the lifestyle.

Home based: This business can be run from home.

Relocatable: This business can be relocated.

Location
This is currently a fully home run business, so will be easily absorbed into an existing business or re-located to other premises in the area.

Expansion potential
This is not only an established market but is growing and is forecast in the near and longer term for significant growth. The business is well positioned to take maximum advantage of this growth as it occurs. This business is recognised for its quality of service and its local brand and has been able to establish itself and capture a significant market share in this environment. More assertive marketing and brand investment, could acquire an even larger slice of the market to build this excellent business into an even bigger cash earner. Business operations are not at maximum capacity and there remains considerable scope for an increase in production, turnover and profit simply by gearing operations in line with current market demand.

Competition / Market
Much of the business's revenue is a result of repeat business and referrals, bearing strong testimony to the excellent reputation enjoyed by the business since its inception and the owner does also commit some limited time to cold calling. However, as there is currently no advertising the owner is aware that a more active sales and marketing campaign would certainly improve sales and profitability and will increase its market exposure and revenues.

Support & training
The owner will provide full business familiarisation and training to ensure a smooth transfer of the business to new owners.

Reasons for selling
The owner has reluctantly reached the decision to sell this thriving business, which has achieved good growth and has excellent potential for the future, due to increasing family commitments and personal problems that have arisen.