The subjects comprise licensed premises which have been extended over the years to provide the current accommodation. The main entrance into the subjects leads off Waterside Street and into a vestibule, off which is the lounge bar section of the property. There is fixed upholstered seating in place around the bar area, where there is a feature open fireplace. The bar servery is finished in a combination of timber and stone claddings. Amenities within the bar area include a gaming machine and a quiz machine, with a mixture of table and chair furnishings in place, able to seat approximately 40-50 patrons. Between the bar and restaurant, where additional seating is provided, are male, female and disabled toilet facilities. Progressing further down two steps, is the main restaurant which overlooks the beer garden and parkland via French doors. The restaurant can accommodate circa 60 covers at matching wooden tables and upholstered chairs, with the restaurant being over a split floor level. The ceiling within the main area of the restaurant is open to the underside of the roof trusses, which are a particular feature, with water associated memorabilia on display. There is a servery counter to one side of the lower part of the restaurant, and leading off the upper part are in/out doors to the kitchen. The kitchen is particularly spacious and contains a full commercial catering inventory. Leading off to the rear of the kitchen, is an ancillary area, which includes a walk-in chill and a series of store cupboards. There is also the cellar off which there is an ancillary storage/dry goods area. A door leads out to the front of the building at Waterside Street, for deliveries access.
Completing the accommodation is a staff toilet. The first floor is accessed off the lounge bar, leading to an internal winding staircase within the rear turreted projection part of the building. This accesses several rooms which overlook the front of the property on Waterside Street, which are in use for general storage purposes. One of the rooms forms a manager’s office and leading off this is a storeroom. Additional accommodation includes a staff room and toilet. A particular feature of the subjects is the large enclosed beer garden to the rear which occupies a waterside position, next to the burn and overlooks the park/gardens. There are a number of picnic tables, popular for dining out in better weather, and an outdoor children’s play climbing frame.
Location
The town of Strathaven is located on the A71, Kilmarnock to Edinburgh road route, at its convergence with a number of other routes which include the A726, A723, B743 and B7086. Hamilton is situated approximately 8 miles to the North of Strathaven, which forms the central hub for the South Lanarkshire area, with Glasgow circa 24 miles Northwest. Strathaven is a long established market town with a degree of historic connection, benefiting from a scenic rural position, within the River Avon valley. The town’s population is circa 7,700. The subjects are situated on the East side of Waterside Street, which is one of the town centre’s main routes. The subjects occupy an attractive trading position on the banks of the burn and overlooking the park/gardens beyond.
Accommodation
We would summarise the accommodation as undernoted:-
Ground Floor - Entrance vestibule, lounge bar and male, female and disabled toilet facilities. Restaurant (60 covers), kitchen and ancillary areas, general storage, beer cellar and staff toilet.
First Floor - Manager’s office, general storage, staff room and toilet.
Exterior - Enclosed landscaped beer garden with children’s play area.
Terms
THE BUSINESS
The business has been family owned and operated for eight years trading as a licensed bar/restaurant. Income is predominantly derived from wet sales although the business has an excellent reputation for food which equates to circa 40% of income.
Customers of all ages frequent the subjects which are well supported locally and also attract visitors throughout the year, particularly in the summer months. There are regular private functions held, such as small weddings, birthdays, christenings and funerals. The food side of the business offers fixed and a la carte menu choices. A two course lunch and early evening menu is available at £7.50 per person and theme nights are also held, such as a steak night at £29.95 per couple, inclusive of a bottle of wine on Friday evenings. Trading hours are as follows:-
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday: 12 noon – 12 midnight
Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 12 noon – 1am
The occasional late licence is available for local events to include gala day and the festive period. The business is family operated, assisted by two full time chefs, a full time duty manager, two full time bar/waiting assistants and three parttime assistants, in addition to a cleaner. Financial documentation will be provided to interested parties after viewing. Net sales for the year ended 31 March 2011 were £362,108.
TRADE INVENTORY
The asking price includes the trade inventory which, we are advised, is owned outright and is not subject to any lease purchase, hire contract or similar finance arrangement.
PRICE
Offers over £430,000 are sought for the property, goodwill, fixtures and fittings, with stock available over and above at valuation.
Specification
- Lounge bar and 60 cover restaurant
- Large Waterside beer garden overlooking park
- Central trading position within attractive village
- Well supported locally