Traditional village shop & post office with outstanding owners accommodation, County Durham

*** SIGNIFICANT PRICE REDUCTION ***

Traditional Village Store with Post Office.  Three bed owners accommodation included.  Presented throughout to the highest standard.  Scope to develop existing business.  Monopoly trading position.  Same owners for c.22 years.

FREEHOLD

Guide Price £265,000 plus stock at valuation.

Hesleden is a village located between Castle Eden and High Hesleden, just a couple of miles from the A19 routing in County Durham in the North East of England. The Durham coast, North Pennines, North Yorkshire Moors National Park and Yorkshire Dales are all also located within a comfortable drive from the village along with the main A1(M) linking the North and South of the country.

There is a well-regarded Primary School in Hesleden along with a social club and the surrounding areas offer plenty for the outdoor enthusiast with golf, walking and a variety of other activities all available.

The business and owners accommodation are located in the heart of the village occupying a substantial semi-detached property formed over 2.5 floors.  There is plentiful parking available directly outside and in the surrounding area. The owners accommodation is over the first and second floors and comprises lounge/dining room, kitchen, ensuite bedroom, two bedrooms and further den/bedroom/playroom.

Our clients have owned and operated Hesleden Community Post Office and Store now for 22 years becoming a vital part of the village offering a good range of varied products and services. The shop offers the usual range of convenience products along with beers, wines and spirits, magazines and newspapers, chilled and frozen items and a popular line of savouries from local suppliers. There is a cash machine in store and Lotto is also available.

New owners will continue as a community Post Office which comes with the benefit of a generous core salary, plus commission paid on all Post Office sales, circa £17K per annum. As it is a Community Post Office it benefits from free replenishment of all stationary items, free cash counter/note detector, free telephone line and outgoing calls - these offices are very few and far between. The new owner could also go onto a Post Office Local contract whereupon they could look into a combi-counter to incorporate the Post Office to the sales position already in place.

The business offers a lifestyle business opportunity with great potential for growth by extending the stock holding and good use of social media marketing. There is also potential to look at developing what already is on offer perhaps with a symbol group in partnership. Being the only shop in the village ensures a steady local trade along with visitors and passing trade. A new substantial housing development just started nearby will add to the footfall.

It is run by a husband and wife team with the assistance of 2 part time staff members.  The owners have reluctantly placed the business on the market to retire and spend more time with their grandchildren.