| | | BUSINESS FOR SALE ADVERT DETAILS | | | ADVERT VIEWED : 141,137 TIME(S)
BUSINESS REFERENCE : EJ019 / RightBiz INDEPENDENT REGIONAL CHAIN OF 14 RETAIL BUTCHERS TOGETHER WITH A MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION FACILITY | | | | | | Independent regional chain of 14 retail butchers together with a manufacturing and distribution facility Ref no: EJ019 Location: East Anglia & Home Counties Confidentially offered for sale Asking price: £950,000 | | | BUSINESS LOCATION: | Undisclosed Relocatable UNITED KINGDOM | | BUSINESS SECTOR: | Catering | | TRADE TYPE: | Fish & Chips Shops | | SALE: | Agent Sale | LEASEHOLD: | £950000 | | | | | | | | | | | BUSINESS DETAILS: | Business profile:
Established by the current Owners – an offshoot of a far larger national outfit, this business, incorporated in the early 1980’s is a chain of fourteen traditional butchers shops spread across East Anglia and adjacent Home Counties and is arguably one of the largest independent operators left within the UK.
Dedicated to providing its customers with the finest quality, fresh meats and foods from all over the UK, this business has been based on the solid, traditional values of good quality produce at competitive prices coupled with high levels of personal service.
Occupying very well suited, retail premises in mainly good secondary positions in prime towns, the shops of this business offer a wide range of fresh meats and poultry together with a small range of ‘added value’ produce. Specialising in local produce this business buys direct from the producers, many of which this business has been dealing with since its very first days of operation. For its beef for example this business is buying its Aberdeen Angus cross from the same blood lines as it was over twenty years ago!
With a mainly retail customer base, though this business has some important trade customers, its range includes high quality produce prepared by experienced and skilled butchers using the traditional hands-on methods of hanging, butchering and preparing meat. All outlets have full butchering facilities on-site. In addition, this business offers a wide range of sausages, together with burgers, bacon, gammons, cheese and seasonal selections of pre-prepared produce – marinated meats and ribs for the barbecue for example, – all freshly made by hand on the premises or from the business’s manufacturing unit and distribution centre.
In addition to providing customers with superb meat, this business is committed to providing a friendly, helpful and very individual service. As would be expected of a firm of traditional butchers with all of the necessary skills available in house, products are cut and prepared exactly to each and every customer’s specific requirements. Not surprisingly its outlets are firm favourites with their loyal customer bases, competing very favourably with the major supermarket chains.
A strong brand in its region, this is a substantial business with an opportunity to match. With turnover for the year for which the most recent figures are available in excess of £8 million, this represents an excellent acquisition opportunity for any organisation looking to acquire a major regional presence in the butchery sector in East Anglia and adjacent counties in the south of England.
Key strengths:
This business, a strong regional brand in its own right and with a reputation as being an aggressive retailer, is built upon an excellent estate of fourteen butchers shops and a centrally located production and distribution facility – with all of the retail outlets situated in excellent locations in prime towns throughout East Anglia and adjacent counties. The sites, all of which have butchery facilities on site, have all been deliberately chosen with high levels of customer awareness and footfall and in reach of excellent transport links ensuring ease of supply and overall management.
Incorporated in 1980, this is a very well established business with each of its outlets commanding a loyal customer following, attracted by high quality, fresh produce at competitive prices backed up with the traditional butcher’s approach of high levels of personal and friendly service. All staff are very well trained, extremely loyal – with a high proportion of the overall workforce fully qualified and highly skilled butchers.
This business has excellent trade relationships in place – dealing mainly with local producers, producers with which it has had longstanding relationships – many since Day One. As a result this business is more than capable of holding its own against the major supermarkets – in many cases being cheaper than its rivals whilst still maintaining a healthy margin.
A predominantly cash based business, this business has been managed very well throughout its many years of operation with systems and processes in place ensuring a high degree of financial control.
Key opportunities:
This sector is more than holding its own in the face of competition from the major supermarkets as more and more consumers return to the traditional butchers’ values of good quality meat, prepared to their specification at a very competitive price. Consequently with a strong demand for the products and services of this business – and capacity to increase turnover, a new owner would contribute fresh ideas, enthusiasm and outside influence to build on an excellent base.
Very much a traditional butcher – this business doesn’t currently accept credit or debit cards and would certainly benefit from computerization - there are many areas of opportunity for growth and expansion within this business. Despite having its own production and distribution facility the current Owners of the business would accept that there is room for improvement in their provision of cooked meats and that the seasonal range could be extended into veal, venison and game for example. The business could also take advantage of the increasing demand fuelled by Farmers’ Markets for higher margin special breeds and produce very local to its individual outlets. There is also scope to introduce burger, bacon and sausage lines at the production unit
Furthermore whilst the business has some important trade relationships – but built upon relationships with individual shops, the business could certainly improve its offering to the catering sector – pubs, clubs, restaurants, schools and even airlines, bearing in mind its close proximity to one of the UK’s largest international airports.
Premises:
The business’s estate includes fourteen retail outlets in all together with a manufacturing and distribution unit centrally located to service the retail base.
All of the premises are offered leasehold and are located in good, mainly secondary locations in major towns across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Bedfordshire and the north eastern outskirts of London - close to major thoroughfares offering easy access via major transport links. Several freeholds were purchased by the current Owners of the business and could be made available in addition to the purchase price, subject to negotiation. Alternatively leases will be negotiated, rent and term to be agreed.
Full details of all properties are available subject to the usual Confidentiality arrangements being put in place.
Employees:
Two of the four Owners of the business are responsible for the day-to-day management of the business supported by approximately 100 employees, 75% of which are butchers, working in the retail outlets.
Marketing and advertising:
With well established outlets in good locations the business has little need of investment in marketng and advertising, benefitting from high levels of customer awareness and footfall resulting from its many years of operation.
A major, regional brand within its sector, the business is well known throughout the area, having an excellent local reputation and a strong loyal customer base, but benefits most from the most cost effective form of marketing, strong word of mouth recommendation which ensures a constant stream of customers through the door.
Financial Information:
The business is offered for sale as a going concern. All financial discussions will take place directly between the vendor and all interested parties under the auspices of Turner Butler.
Turnover for the most recent financial year for which figures are available was in excess of £8 million. The Asking Price of £950,000 is for the trading arm of the business.
The freeholds of several outlets are also available, subject to separate negotiation and in addition to the Asking Price.
Reason for Sale:
This is a genuine retirement sale.
Support and Training:
The current Owners are happy to provide full business familiarisation and handover to ensure a smooth transfer of the business to new Owners | | | | | BUSINESS STATUS: | FOR SALE | | | | | SELLER: | TURNER BUTLER | | CONTACT: | 01895 25 6000 | | REFERENCE: | EJ019 / RightBiz | | ENQUIRIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
