Prime city centre location next to Gloucestershire University campus

Introduction Summary

Please read all of this details section carefully before sending enquiries - particular relating to suitability of the business and what information a prospective buyer will need to provide before commercial information is released by the seller.  The seller will not send such information until an accompanied viewing has taken place.

This small business is situated in the heart of Gloucester's city centre regeneration, in a street which has an extremely high occupancy of shops.  It is located: 

• Immediately opposite the new University of Gloucestershire Campus (NOT halls of residence!) and Public Library
• 75m from the newly-redeveloped Kings Square (city centre seating area and events space)
• 200m from the new Forum development (hi-tech office space, hotel, car parks and restaurants etc) which is opening in Autumn 2025
• 300m of the main, recently developed new transport hub (bus and coach station)
• 400m of the currently being re-developed Train Station
• 500m from Kingsholm Stadium (Gloucester Rugby Club's ground

The business was first established in 2017 and has an excellent reputation with a high volume of regular customers and low seasonal swing in turnover. The current owner has owned it since 2018.  It is ideal for an owner/operator or family-run business, either as a first hospitality business or to add to the portfolio of an existing hospitality owner.   

Due to it's size and location, the business benefits from 100% relief on business rates and utility costs are approximately only 4% of turnover. The current lease with a private landlord runs until 2030 (with a break-point in 2026).  The current 'rent' is fixed until the end of the current lease, so no increases. 

PLEASE DO NOT MAKE ANY IN-SHOP ENQUIRIES (in person or by phone) REGARDING THIS SALE EVEN IF YOU HAVE IDENTIFIED THE BUSINESS - ALL INITIAL CONTACT TO BE THROUGH THIS CHANNEL PLEASE.   

As part of the redevelopment of Gloucester City Centre, the main sign-posted route into the city centre, Cathedral quarter and Kingsholm Stadium for visitors by car, bus and rail wil be via Kings Square and the street in which this business is located.

The business premises are in very good decorative order and the furniture/equipment (included in sale) is also all in very good condition.  The barrista machine, dishwasher and Coke fridge are rental, but everything else is owned and included.  The business currently uses a speciality hospitality-industry ePOS till system (monthly rental for the package).  The hardware is included in the sale price (iPad, printer, till drawer, card machine etc) and the new owner could take over the software package if desired or use their own preferred software package.

The premises currently comprise of 20 indoor seats and 9 outside seats.   Licenses are not required for outdoor seating or A-boards

The premises has very secure rear windows and doors (it used to be a jewellers shop!) and a full electronic security roller-shutter for the front.  The premises are currently not licensed to sell alcohol but due to the excellent security options, it is not expected that obtaining such a license would be difficult if required.

The business currently trades from 7.45am to 4.00pm Monday to Saturday (3.30pm Saturday).  Although it's core trade is currently 'dine-in', during the past four years, the current owner has also developed:

• a regular takeaway trade of local traders and city centre workers (who then recommend the business to their customers or colleagues)
• a delivery/small buffet arm of the business

The main food menu currently offered is based on:

• breakfast items ranging from snacks such as porridge up to an all-day breakfast
• cakes, traybakes, buns and other similar 'counter items'
• lunches (rather than full meals*) including ploughmans lunches, quiches, soups, sandwiches, jacket potatoes - all served with garnishes etc
• Cream teas and afternoon teas

The nature of the food served and size of the premises means that utility costs are only approximately 4% of monthly turnover. The business currently only has electricity, but it could be connected to gas as well and no planning permission is required.

The business currently serves a very high quality coffee and attracts coffee 'afficianados' as a result.  It is also renowned for using high quality bread, cakes and  baked-products from local suppliers.

Seasonal swing is only approximately 15% across the year, making it easy to manage cashflow and to be able to consistently offer sufficient hours to employed members of the staff team.

The business has exceptionally high ratings on review sites and has been awarded several Trip Advisor Certificates of Excellence placing it in the top 10% of similar businesses across the world for it's reviews.  In 2024, the business won 'Best Customer Service' across all business types in Gloucester City Council's annual awards (NB this is a genuine award which is open to all businesses, not a 'marketing award' which only includes a handful of businesses who have paid to enter.

The business has a very high percentage of repeat, regular customers.  It has also held a 5* hygiene rating from the Food Standards Agency for it's entire duration of trading.

Opportunities to add value include:

• Price point is VERY competitive compared to local comparable 'rivals'.  There has been very little price increase since pre-Covid as the business has been able to meet it's financial operating targets by continually growing it's customer base.  This means that a new owner would have no difficulty putting in a sensible price increase if desired as the current prices are perceived as incredible value for money.
• To open on Sundays.
• To further develop the delivery aspect of the business.  Currently, the business does it's own deliveries.  However, the new owner could increase this aspect of the business by signing to a food delivery company if desired.
• To further develop the takeaway business, particularly by offering a generous loyalty or membership package to university students and staff.
• To open into the early-evening to catch the end of university/business day trade.
• To apply for a licence to serve alcohol

The lease was renewed in 2023 and is currently until June 2030 with a break point in 2026.  There is no right of rent review at the break point, meaning a guaranteed annual lease of only £10,000pa  until 2030.  The landlord is one of the few remaining private landlords of city centre retail property and is very supportive and approachable to the business owner.

The main reason for sale is that the current owner has another business interest (non-hospitality) which is their main source of income and they are looking to decrease their business commitments due to approaching retirement age.  Therefore, they will only sell on mutually acceptable terms.  

An agreed level of handover support and training can be available to the new owner if required.  The current owner would also consider providing a limited amount of relief cover (paid) during the first 12 months of new ownership in order to allow the new owner to meet exisiting family/holiday commitments.

More detailed financial and operational information will be made available to serious prospective buyers in return for proof of ID and ability to purchase being provided - the owner will not reveal commerically sensitive information unless satisifed of genuine interest and ability to purchase.

NB The owner will only respond to enquiries from individuals and will not respond to agencies, other marketing companies or financial investment companies etc

Summary:

This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a proven, growing business situated in a prime location.  The owner is open to sensible negotiation and would consider partial deferred payment of up to 10% of purchase price (if purchased at full value) in order to enable the new owner to have a higher level of initial working capital.

Update 28 August 2025

Since the senior management team of the new University campus began to move in, over 30 have already signed up for our loyalty scheme.