Asking price: £54,950

Sales revenue: £238,000

Net profit: < £100k

Fixtures value: Undisclosed

Stock value: £40,000

Business description
This bookshop was established in 1938 and has been run by the present owner for the past 5 years.

The business is the only specialist bookshop in the town and offers a wide range of children’s books, new paperback fiction, biography and travel. Through experience what is on the shelves is a reasonable reflection of what sells in the locality.

The current owner has registered a unique website domain name but has not yet established a website. The business operates a computerised stock control system which could be incorporated into a web based sales system if required.

The business offers a book ordering service which is very popular and also supplies books to local schools and a local prison. In 2008 sales to schools and the prison contributed around £30,000 to turnover with scope to expand.

The sales of stationery (primarily greetings card, gift wrap and calendars) have grown over the years, from just under £11,000 in 2005 rising to nearly £25,000 in 2008. Even though the business obviously has competition for cards from other retailers in the High Street, the growth of turnover indicates that it has begun to gain a reputation for the cards and other stationery it sells.

Overall this business has an excellent reputation and gives very good customer service which results in a loyal customer base which a new owner could expand further by carrying out targeted marketing.

Years established: Established in 1938

Employees: 2 part time plus manager and owner

Trading hours: 8.30 to 5.30 Monday to Saturday

Property: Leasehold

Lease terms
We are informed that the current lease runs until 2014 and is renewable. The current rent is £14,500 (plus VAT) per annum. There is a rent review due in 2009.

Location
Situated in a high street position in an affluent Surrey town centre with main road and rail links, customer car parking is available outside, in municipal car parks or residential roads nearby.

Competition / Market
Unopposed