MacDonald’s Hardware is a flourishing retail business in a prominent trading position located within the town centre of Dingwall. This prosperous and attractive trading unit is well-established with a long trading history going back some 50 years. The building dates from 1875 and has been in the ownership of the current operators since 1996. Today it remains a vibrant and highly profitable business with a strong and loyal customer base.
The significant turnover is generated from a wide selection of sales which include general household goods, gifts, gardening equipment, pet supplies, brewing supplies, general hardware and DIY items to name the main categories. There is also a highly successful cookware shop incorporated within the store. Macdonald’s Hardware is deceptively spacious with a net trading area extending to about 465m2. The store is set out intelligently making the most of this expansive space, utilising a wide range of shelving and racking as well as free standing display units. The frontage of this unit is just over 9 metres wide and extends to over 50 metres in depth.
On the first floor there are a selection of rooms which could be utilised more fully to develop the business further. Subject to consents there may be scope to introduce a café style facility which could be a great income generator in its own right but could also drive additional footfall. The current owners have been reducing their input into the store in recent years to reflect their desire for an improved work-life balance. It is the vendor’s belief that younger operators, or someone looking for a sound business development opportunity, could build on the existing trading patterns through the provision of additional services thereby raising the business performance even further. The retail unit is set in the town centre and benefits from an existing high customer basis. The store is highly popular within the wider community and benefits from a sound reputation. The property is of traditional construction and soundly presented internally. The open plan layout of the sales areas allows for the flexible use of space. The business currently employs a shop manager and staff allowing the vendors to take extended periods away from the business whilst retaining a strong profitability. Over and above the associated car parking there is ample free car parking for this busy town centre nearby.
REASON FOR SALE - The business has been owned and successfully operated since 1996. It is their desire to retire that brings this fantastic business opportunity to the market. This sale would suit someone already in the retail sector or associated building trades. The vendors have intimated that they would be willing to provide an on-going degree of short-term support for new owners should this be required.
Location
The Town of Dingwall is located on the banks of the river Conon in the beautiful rural setting of Easter Ross-shire. With a population of circa 6,000 but with a much higher catchment area, the wider area benefits from thriving agricultural, engineering, tourism and port related businesses. Due to its location Dingwall is a centre of administration and as such is well provided for in terms of social, welfare and general services. The Town has a long and established history and the wider area has a great many attractions such as castles, distilleries and golf courses. However, many visitors just come to enjoy the beautiful countryside and hill walking. For those interested in field sports and fishing rural Ross-shire offers unparalleled experiences with some outstanding salmon and trout fishing. The Cromarty Firth and Moray Firth are popular venues for adventurous water sports with the many fresh water lochs in the region providing an outlet for a wide range of activities. The Moray Firth also attracts visitors because of the presence of dolphins and minke whales. Dingwall is approximately 14 miles from Inverness, a vibrant centre of tourism and commerce with excellent communication links (Rail and Airport).
Accommodation
PROPERTY - The property is a two storey unit with the trading elements on the ground floor and administration and storage space on the first floor. There are two residential flats that do not form part of the sale above the shop. However, the vendors may consider selling a flat by separate negotiation. The building dates from 1875 and the original part is of stone construction under a pitched slate roof with numerous extensions being added over many years. The main frontage sits on to the high street in the town centre and has an entrance and separate exit under the same covered area. Upon entry is the sales counter just to the right which is situated by the exit affording excellent control and security. The ground floor sales area has aisles running from the front of the shop to the rear of the property. There is a second service counter mid-way into the store. Other features include a paint area and a key cutting service. The shop displays a wide range of goods and details can be found on their website www.macdonaldshardware.com.
The first floor spaces are separated into various rooms and are presently underutilised. Stairs led from rear and the mid-section of the store to the first floor. From the mid store access there is a staff washroom, a general utility room and two separate store rooms. From a hallway is a spacious storeroom which is the width of the unit and through an opening is a further similar store. A further door leads to a spacious open plan office and general administration area with a partition wall splitting the room to the mid-point. Within this space is a staff rest area with a further staff washroom and stairs leading to the rear of the property providing access into the store and to the external area. This ground floor entrance provides access to customers entering from the car park. at the rear of the store. Finally on the first floor there is a further area of 3 rooms which are currently not in general use but have been previously used as a beautician’s area.
GROUND AND EXTERNAL AREAS - There is a customer car park to the rear of the shop with two open enclosures, one for LPG cylinders and the other historically used for garden products, currently unused. There is also a timber shed located close to the entrance to the car park. The car park has a hard core level finish throughout. The title also included the access close on the south side of the building connecting the car park to the high street.
Terms
DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL - Historically the vendor has sold gardening products in the fenced of area to the north side of the car park. This is something which they stopped doing for physical reasons. This was a profitable part of the business historically, which the new owners could capitalise on.
The first floor could lend itself to rental accommodation should the new users not require the full area.
SERVICES - The business benefits from mains electricity, water and drainage.
TRADE AND ACCOUNTS - This successful business trades to a very profitable level and there remains scope to develop the trading aspects further. Full accounting information will be made available to seriously interested parties subsequent to viewing.
RATES / COUNCIL TAX - The property has a business Rateable value of £20,000 reference number 03/09/390610/1 (April 2017) but may benefit from a discount under the Small Business Bonus Scheme with a net reduced liability for qualifying businesses.
PRICE - Offers Over £599,000 are invited for the heritable property complete with goodwill and trade contents (according to inventory), excluding personal items. Stock at valuation.
EPC RATING - This property has an Energy Performance Rating of ‘TBC’.
Specification
- Outstanding business opportunity within prominent central trading location set in the heart of the thriving town of Dingwall.
- Highly popular retail business supplying a wide range of goods including hardware, gardening, DIY and very successful cook shop.
- Strong turnover and high profitability from a sustainable trading model with further business development potential.
- Ground floor sales area with a net internal area of circa 465m2 plus a first floor extending to 136m2.
- Benefitting from an accessible trading location with onsite and public car parking close by.