Crafts & Things is an extremely desirable business within a stunning location. The business is located on the arterial A82 amongst majestic surroundings situated just outside the western end of Glencoe. The original subjects, an attractive highland croft house and old byre, date back to the 1800’s and offer tremendous character and charm. The trading elements comprise a characterful retail unit in the oldest part of the building selling an extensive and tasteful range of gifts and art with a welcoming café which offers around 60 covers internally; together extending to circa 280m2. There is also partially covered external seating for up to 50 guests which is ideal for alfresco dining in the spring and summer months enjoying beautiful views over the Loch Leven. A unique business opportunity, Crafts & Things would be ideally suited to new owners with a penchant for high quality retail and catering. This is a true turn-key venture which should provide motivated operators with a straightforward and rewarding transition into self-employment. The business is award winning and recognised for the quality of its produce.
In addition, the sale comes complete with a delightful 4-bedroom home, providing flexible and comfortable family accommodation. This spacious house has an open plan kitchen-diner and a large lounge. The property is situated within extensive grounds which adds to the appeal of this tremendous business opportunity.
TRADE - The current business has remained within the same family ownership since 1969. They have enjoyed developing it over many years and now present the business as a desirable commercial opportunity. This well-established operation offers a strong trading entity demonstrating a consistently high profitability from an exceptionally sustainable trading model. The business is well-signposted from the A82 and operates from 9.30am until XXXm most of the year, closing a little earlier during the winter months. There is scope to extend the operating hours into the evening, should the new owners wish to do so, particularly throughout the peak tourist season.
Income is generated from the many visitors to the region, many of whom are repeat customers. The café and shop are well supported by the local communities surrounding Glencoe. Adjusted profits are split approximately 60% / 40% between the café and the retail element. Crafts & Things is surrounded on three sides by mountains, with Loch Leven in front, a sea loch which leads out to Loch Linnhe and the open sea. The stunning mountain scenery extends 13 miles to the east to the Glencoe Mountain Resort and 16 miles to Fort William and the Nevis Range, a paradise for mountain bikers and skiers, thus making the Glencoe area a popular all year location.
Retail - The stocking of the shop has been developed over the years to such an extent that a good level of profit is being achieved year-on-year from the continually changing product ranges sold. The sale items broadly include, crafts, jewellery, Scottish tourist products, clothing, books, framed pictures, prints, mirrors and photographs.
Coffee Shop - The café is licenced and is located in the newest part of the building, benefitting from a large amount of glass on the façade, affording excellent natural lighting into the customer seated areas. There is a modern servery with till and cake display cabinet which are set to an ‘L’ shape located to the rear of the customer areas, and adjacent to the kitchen. Behind the customer counter is a commercial coffee machine, sitting on a counter with equipment under. The setup of the kitchen is very well suited to meet the current offering.
The existing trading model achieves very positive reviews on websites such as TripAdvisor. Crafts & Things has a great reputation and its business operation can be found on many internet sites. Their own trading website has links to other businesses within the local area.
STAFF - The business is managed by one of the vendors and has a full-time manager on-site dealing with the day-to-day business operation. The management team is supported by entirely part-time staff who are drawn mainly from the local area. The profitability of this business is such that it could easily support a full-time management couple should new owners wish to adopt a hands-off approach.
REASON FOR SALE - The vendors purchased the business from family in 1982 and have enjoyed developing the business and forging many friendships within the local community. After nearly 40 years at the helm, they now wish to retire. They are excited about the prospect of new owners taking the business to the next level.
Location
Glencoe is world-renowned as being an area of outstanding natural beauty within the dramatically formed Glen and its towering peaks. The area is steeped in history and is especially associated with the 1692 notorious Massacre of Glencoe.
The locality is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering skiing in the winter, mountain biking in the summer, whilst mountaineering activities are popular year-round. There are 2 mountain resorts within easy reach along the A82 from the business; they offer skiing, snowboarding and mountain biking. National walking trails and cycling trails pass through the Glencoe area and are easily accessed. Many walkers through Glencoe via the West Highland Way following the old military road over Rannoch Moor. However, many visitors just come to enjoy stunning scenery, wildlife, walking and more gentle outdoor pursuits. There is also the opportunity for water sports locally, both within the shelter of Loch Leven and also in the open of Loch Linnie and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.
Crafts & Things is situated at the foot of majestic mountains and on the shores of Loch Leven. Adjacent to the A82, the main arterial road route from Glasgow to Fort William. The business is strategically located on this important tourist and commercial road which leads to the West Coast and Northern Highlands. There are excellent bus links to the area making Glasgow only a short journey away plus there are rail links at Bridge of Orchy and Fort William. Oban, the gateway to the Scottish islands is 33 miles to the south.
Glencoe and nearby Ballachulish are thriving communities, with many amenities including shops, community centres, churches, and schools. Secondary schooling is provided in nearby Kinlochleven. The Glencoe general area has a population of circa 1000 inhabitants which swells with the influx of visitors during the main tourism season, Easter to October. There are further social amenities in both Ballachulish and Kinlochleven, both just a few minutes away. Fort William is the nearest major centre of population which provides a full range of social and welfare amenities.
The Ice Factor National Ice Climbing Centre, one of the top visitor attractions in the Highlands, and the world's biggest indoor ice climbing wall, is only located a few miles away in Kinlochleven. The mountains surrounding the village of Glencoe are home to a variety of wildlife including golden eagles, red deer and pine martens. It is little wonder that this stunning area is the location of choice for so many blockbuster movies.
Accommodation
The property is made of 3 distinct parts; the craft and clothes shop, the café areas and the owner’s house. The business is run from an office on the 1st floor.
The Craft Shop - The craft shop is located in the oldest part of the property, most likely dating back to the 1800’s when it was normal to have a byre used for human and animal habitation. When the vendor’s parents bought the property in 1968 it was virtually a ruin, which they rebuilt over the course of a year, opening the shop in 1969. Over the next year the house was also redeveloped an interconnecting extension added to link the shop and the house. This was recently featured as one of 5 top venues for Christmas Gifts in an issue of the Times in December 22.
The Coffee Shop - The café offers a delectable array of baking and light bites and is a popular destination for both passing and local trade. Over the last few years more use has been made of the external seating, with the introduction of a large folding canopy, thus providing all weather external seating options which has helped maintain a good level of footfall during the periods of COVID restrictions. This was recently featured as one of 12 top venues for lunch in the 28th January’s 23 P&J.
Whilst being a very popular tourist destination, the café has also built up a good level of local support. Outwith high season the café acts as a non-profit music performance venue where some world class musicians have performed. Nominated for a national award as best small venue at the annual traditional music awards, this has proved to be extremely popular and is very well supported by the local community.
Upstairs - There is a sizeable office upstairs from where the business is run, and a well-stocked gallery exhibiting the work of Scottish artists. There are also ladies and gent’s toilet facilities, with a separate toilet facility downstairs allowing wheelchair access.
Owners / Staff Accommodation - The owner’s accommodation is a self-contained part of the complex, abutting to the west end of the shop area. This delightful spacious house has a lovely separate garden area, mainly laid to lawn. This part of the building comprises a kitchen, dining area and lounge, all on the ground floor, with 4-bedrooms and a bathroom with separate shower enclosure located on the 1st floor. The living area is a cosy, comfortable space with a log burning stove. A spacious open-plan kitchen diner is very much the heart of the home. The kitchen is well-appointed with storage units and a gas cooker. This accommodation benefits from central heating throughout.
GROUNDS - Crafts & Things is well-signed and easy to locate, set on an attractive site within a truly stunning setting. The grounds extend to around 1 acre, which includes the garden space behind the house, two external wood-built stores, one wooden studio, two substantial stone-built outbuildings, the external café area and associated planted borders, plus the car park across the road. Stores and sheds to the rear of the property hold stock for the retail and café elements as well as tools and gardening equipment. Of particular note is that the owner’s accommodation is set within circa 0.4 acres of private grounds.
Terms
DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL - To the left-hand side of the property, wrapping around the back of the external seating area, is land known as “Croft 9”. This is not included within the sale; however, the owners would consider selling and further details can be obtained from the selling agents. Croft 9 may offer potential for a home or self-catering units, subject to planning consents and any other statutory approvals.
SERVICES - The whole subjects benefit from mains electricity, water and drainage plus there is LPG Gas. The business is fully fire compliant. The café has Wi-Fi available for customers.
PRICE - Offers Over £XXX are invited for the heritable property complete with goodwill, intellectual property, capital equipment and trade contents (according to inventory), excluding personal items. Stock at valuation.
EPC RATING - Crafts & Things has an EPC rating of ‘G’ and the house has an EPC rating of ‘E’.
BUSINESS RATES AND COUNCIL TAX - The business has a rateable value of £XXX (as at Apr 2017) with a 100% discount under the Small Business rates Relief scheme and as such has a rates liability of £XXX for eligible applicants. The house has a Council Tax banding of ‘E’.
Specification
- Highly profitable business opportunity in a stunning location
- Iconic Highland coffee and craft shop situated near Glencoe in a magnificent loch-side setting
- Award winning and high recognised business
- Superb café facilities with highly effective service areas enjoying both internal and external seating
- Extremely desirable 4-bedroom owner’ accommodation with grounds extending to circa 1 acre