Somerdale Shop and Flat is a convenient village amenity perfectly positioned in a prominent trading location on the A862 in Muir of Ord. Located centrally in the town, this substantial property comprises a sound retail unit (which previously operated as a grocery store) together with a lovely adjoining 5-bedroom flat. Ideally situated on the north coast 500 route, the premises historically enjoyed a steady footfall all year round. Whilst recently utilised as a grocery shop, the unit offers the opportunity of a variety of retail purposes.
The owner’s accommodation has huge potential with a private entrance and parking. The property offers a spacious well designed fitted kitchen / dining room and attractive lounge on the ground floor with 5 good sized bedrooms, a shower room and a bathroom on the upper floor. The living accommodation is attractive and tastefully finished, offering a great family home with the opportunity to further enhance the space should a new purchaser wish to put their stamp on it.
TRADE - Somerdale Shop traded successfully as Highland Grocers for many years and now comes to the market with vacant possession. There is a significant level of shelving available together with a number of chilled display cabinets. It should be noted that the owners disconnected the power and therefore it is not clear whether these are operational.
OPENING HOURS - The shop is currently closed.
REASON FOR SALE - The present owners have owned the shop since 2007, although the shop has not traded in recent years due to the owner’s health. It is now their intention to sell their home and business in order to benefit both themselves and the local community.
Location
The village of Muir of Ord is situated near the western boundary of the Black Isle, 13.5 miles West of Inverness, and 6 miles south of Dingwall. Muir of Ord is well served by both bus and train. Whilst the business is likely to be frequented by locals primarily, it is ideally located on the North Coast 500 Tourist Route therefore enhancing the possibility of a significant level of passing trade. Muir of Ord is a vibrant and growing village currently with a population of circa 3000 but a much larger catchment area for business purposes. This charming village has a good range of facilities and shops. Other local amenities include the village hall and Muir of Ord Golf Club. The Golf Club is a typical heathland and moorland course partly laid out by James Braid, dating back to 1875; there are a number of other top-quality courses in the area.
The region is a popular tourist destination with many B&B / holiday let businesses. Activities within the immediate area include walking, fishing and nature watching. Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle are only a short drive away and the West Coast is a 40-minute drive. Inverness-shire with its many attractions including Inverness Castle, Culloden Battlefield, Fort George and Cawdor Castle are all within easy reach. There are a number of distilleries within the vicinity, including the Glen Ord Distillery only a short distance from the property which has a visitor centre providing guided tours. Locally, The Black Isle Agricultural Show and Belladrum Music festival are both normally held each August which brings an abundance of visitors to the area to the benefit of all local businesses.
A full range of facilities including schools, hospital, social and welfare services are located both in Inverness and Dingwall. Inverness Airport is situated about 20 miles away and there is a train station in Muir of Ord giving access to the North and West plus regular services to Inverness.
Accommodation
THE PROPERTY - The property is two-storey red stone building with slate roof. The premises comprises the shop at the front with the flat to the rear and the first floor above the shop. The entrance to the shop is located centrally and accessed directly from the pavement, where the main sales area is entered. To the rear left hand corner of the shop is the access to the store, staff welfare and office. Above the shop entrance door is a full width sign, with lights above. This facility provides great exposure to attract passing trade into the shop.
The entrance to the flat is located behind the shop from the generous hard finished parking area.
There are significant areas of PV panels which are clearly evident on satellite imagery, since the power is disconnected, we are unable to confirm the condition of these panels. We understand that these are currently isolated, but would feed into the shop power distribution. It is also understood that there is no feed in tariff available on this installation.
THE SHOP - The shop premises is generally well maintained with a prominent signed frontage. There is road side parking available in front of the building as well as the public car park across the street. Constructed of lovely red stone, the property has a pitched slate roof over the front of the building. The premises enjoys an exceptional level of storage. To the rear the store rooms are single storey with flat roofs. These comprise of a long narrow corridor store, with 2 lockable rooms to the rear and 2 interconnected single garages. Floor / wall mounted timber shelves line most to the walls. The ideal layout means stock can be taken directly into the storage area, without passing through the main sales area.
OWNERS ACCOMMODATION - The owners’ accommodation is constructed of block and render and located to the rear and above the shop. This accommodation benefits from a private entrance with private parking. The main building has been extended in the past – part of the extension is two storey and the other part single storey. On the ground floor the property comprises a lovely large fitted kitchen / diner with access to the rear private garden area, lounge which over looks the private garden area, and entrance lobby from the drive. A wooden stair with attractive carpet pads takes you to the first floor sleeping accommodation. In the extensions above the lounge there is a double bedroom and separate shower room. Within the existing building there is 4 further spacious double bedrooms and bathroom.
GROUNDS - There is a significant asphalt- finished area for off road parking to the rear and side of the shop. To the extreme rear of the title is a double garage which is dry and well aired. To the south side behind the shop storage is a further open store area. In between these areas is a paved area with a previously utilised based for a shed.
Behind the lounge and kitchen is an enclosed private area, this comprise direct access via a paved path into the shop and a raised area where the owners can enjoy outdoor activities which is finished in non-block, with some planning around the perimeter. This is a very attractive and tranquil space.
Terms
SERVICES - The property benefits from mains electricity, water supply and drainage. The heating is provided by oil boiler located in the shop. The shop does not currently have a live electrical connection.
EPC RATING - The EPC rating of the Shop Unit is TBC and the Flat is TBC.
PRICE - Offers over £535,000 are invited for the freehold interest complete with remaining trade contents (according to inventory).
BUSINESS RATES / COUNCIL TAX - The trading elements attract a business rate of £8,000 (as at April 2023) – Ref no. 03/08/064210/0 which should allow the owners to benefit from 100% discount under the Small Business Rates Relief scheme resulting in a liability of £0 where eligible. The owners’ accommodation attracts a Council Tax banding of ‘E’.
Specification
- Retail unit with opportunity to serve the local community.
- Prime roadside trading location on the NC500.
- Attractive adjoining spacious 5-bedroom owner’s accommodation with private entrance.
- Blank canvas with opportunity to develop.
- Sizable retail unit extending to around 250m².