Luxury Guest Accommodation in Georgian Farmhouse For Sale

Business description

Luxury Guest Accommodation in Georgian Farmhouse with Licensed Restaurant and Tearoom, Craft & Gift Shop

This is an exceptional opportunity to purchase an established and well run family business with huge potential for growth, set in amongst the grounds of a beautiful Georgian Country Farm.

The current owners bought the premises and land in 1995 and have invested heavily and sympathetically, creating a wonderful combination of busineses all within a compact “Village” style enviroment.

The idyllic setting provides luxury accomodation for up to 14 people, a restaurant/ tearoom which can cater for up to 80 people at any one time, and shops which sell arts, crafts, gifts and food, with a separate clock maker and workshop attached.

There is ample living accomodation for two families, adjoining the guest house block, and the Georgian Farmhouse. Alternatively this living accomodation could be utilised in other ways for expansion.

This charming business has an enviable location in the countryside, yet is on one of the busiest connecting trunk roads in the area, attracting a huge amount of daily passing traffic.
Both the guest house and the restaurant are beautifully appointed, with a high standard of décor, fittings and appliances all with a lovely, rustic,country theme.

Planning permission has been approved to build a health club and swimming pool on an adjacent plot of land, and an art gallery is planned to be housed within a dormant barn which is in close proximity to the art & craft shops. Both projects will increase revenue by adding further attractions to what is already a beautifull village complex.

Equipment:

Everything that is necessary to the smooth running of the complex is included in the transaction price; for example, all kitchen equipment and appliances, all restaurant stock, crockery and furniture, all shop stock, all guest house furniture and linen.

Key Strengths:

The location and beauty of the complex cannot be overstated, which is why it attracts an enormous amount of passing traffic, who stop to either eat, drink or purchase from the shops.

There is a diverse offering for visitors within the business. There is no reliance on any one part of the operation, as each contributes to a healthy cash flow situation.

As a service-orientated business, well trained staff constantly deliver food, drink and service to the standards set by the management team. The restaurant has an excellent traditional English menu whilst offering teas ,coffees and light snacks as an alternative.
The gift and craft shops, offer a wide selection of cards, foods ,gifts, craft and furniture for the more discerning visitor.

Each of the seven rooms, in the accommodation area of the complex, have been individually furnished, to the style of a different period in history. Each room has a beautiful view over the Yorkshire countryside and creates a wonderful experience for the visitor.

The living accommodation in both the Georgian Farmhouse and the main guest house block, is to a high standard, in keeping with the rest of the complex.

There is a large car park outside, with easy access for cars and coaches.

Opportunities:

Because of the nature of the business the opportunities are enormous. The family, over the past twelve years, have tastefully created a superb and successful business from an old farmhouse and coaching house. This is now a smooth running operation and they have spent a huge amount of time, money and effort to get the business were it is today.

A new investor could take this business on to the next turnover level by continuing on with the good work that has taken place and adding new and exciting ideas to the business.
Whilst the accommodation is of a luxury standard ( 4 star silver), it would not take much to achieve hotel status. Part of the criteria would be to keep the restaurant and bar open in the evenings, as they are closed from Sundays to Tuesdays. Last orders for food from Wednesdays to Saturdays is at 9.00pm.

Plans are passed to expand and build a health club with a swimming pool. This would obviously attract other visitors, and help fill the bedrooms, which at present, have spare capacity available.

There is a dormant barn, which has been earmarked as an art gallery, but this could easily be used as a conference room. The current living accommodation houses two families. There is scope to utilise at least one of the living quarters for a lounge/ bar for hotel residents, and further bedrooms.

There is another three acres of land and woodland adjoining the complex and this is not utilised at present.

The whole complex is perfect for coach parties to use as a stop. They are not encouraged, but could bring in regular income if required.

Because the business has targeted the passing trade, there has been no urgency to attract the local community to use the facilities for functions. With a small amount of reorganisation, there is potential to attract this lucrative section of the market

Property information

Location:

On entering the complex from the easy access of the car park, you first of all go through an archway with houses a dovecote , which has 700 pigeon holes. Entering the courtyard, you have the restaurant, which has been beautifully created from an old barn area.. There are five differently styled rooms, which make up the restaurant with a 130 ft well featured in the main serving area . A new addition has been a conservatory which is used as a bar area for pre & after dinner drinks.

Another part of the courtyard houses the gift and craft shops .They are on two floors, with three rooms downstairs, selling cards, foods, arts, crafts and toys, with the furniture being on display upstairs.

The clock shop and workshop are found on the third side of the courtyard, with the empty barn on the fourth side, which is ready for refurbishment.

The guest house area is a short walk from the courtyard and this new block which has been built in keeping to the style of the original buildings. As you enter the guest area there is a small reception. This divides the guest area from the living accommodation.

Each of the seven rooms has been individually furnished o the style of a different period in history; Gothic, Tudor, Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco & Art Nouveau. Some rooms have period panelling and all have opulent window dressings and beautiful en suite bathrooms. Two of the rooms are twin bedded & the remaining five rooms have dramatic king sized beds including four posters & half tester amongst others.

The living accommodation has a large open plan fitted kitchen and living area downstairs. Upstairs there three bedrooms, including one master en suite and two bathrooms. There is also a private garden area outside.

The Grade two listed Georgian farmhouse is also used at present as living accommodation for the family. It comprises of a newly fitted kitchen, a lounge with a large conservatory, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, attics, cellars and a lovely garden. There is also a self contained flat with a kitchenette attached.

Outside there are three acres of gardens and woodland with a greenhouse which grows the plants which make up the lovely hanging baskets on display.

Business Hours

Shops - Mon –Sat 10.00am - 5.00pm ( Nov – Mar 4.00pm)
Sunday 10.00am – 6.00pm (Nov – Mar 5.00pm)
Restaurant - Sun – Tues 10.00am – 5.00pm
Wed – Sat 10.00am – 9.00pm

Other information

Expansion potential:

The current market for this type of business is growing at a rapid rate, and is forecast in the long term for significant growth. The business is well positioned to take maximum advantage of this growth as it occurs.

Competition / Market:

The business is part of the Yorkshire Tourist Board and advertises in their publications. There is a comprehensive website for the complex and leaflets and brochures for customers to take away. Very little advertising has taken place to sell the accommodation side of the business .The bookings have been mainly taken from passing traffic or from word of mouth recommendation. There are a few bookings coming in now from the web site.

Support & training:

The current owners would be happy to help with a smooth handover of the business.

Reasons for selling:

After spending twelve years building this business up, two of the Directors are at retirement age. The other two Directors have small children and they wish to spend more time with them whilst pursuing other business interests.