Surf Shop with two seaside locations. Wells next the sea

Paul Hubbard Commercial is proud to present an exciting business opportunity with one of the leading water sports and beach lifestyle retailers on the East Coast.

Wet Dog currently operate from two locations, Cromer and Wells-next-the-sea, and specialise in selling high quality apparel, equipment and clothing for surfers, water sports enthusiasts and those who enjoy the beach lifestyle, all year around.

Opening in 2012, the business has gone from strength to strength and is now recognised as the go-to place for both tourists and locals alike, having built up a fantastic reputation through their extensive product range, high quality gear and top level customer service. The business was even voted in the Top 7 Independent Retailers in Norfolk in 2022 by the readers of the Eastern Daily Press, which shows how highly regarded they are locally.

Due to a change in circumstances, the owners are now looking to sell the business to someone with the passion and energy to build on their hard work and take the business to the next level.

Both shops are in fantastic locations, just a stone’s throw from the beaches in Cromer and Wells which have helped them capitalise on the huge influx of visitors both towns receive over the summer months.

The business has exclusive contracts with some of the biggest brands in the industry such as Rip Curl and Billabong, giving them a unique position in the market and the ability to cater for a wide range of customer needs.

In additon, both also stock a wide range of products from brands such as Quiksilver, O’Neill, Roxy, Reef, Havaianas, Santa Cruz, Saltrock, DryRobe, , Hurley, Surf Worx, Aztron and Osprey, Nalu Beads, Northcore, Alder, Swim Secure, Sun Bum and Sola.

Products include surf boards, body boards, stand up paddle boards (SUPs), wet suits, dry robes, hoodies, hats, t-shirts, flip flops, swimsuits, board shorts, sunglasses and everything else you could possible need for a day at the beach or on the waves.

Accounts information can be provided upon request, and further details on each location, including floorplans and lease information, is included in the brochure.

PROPERTIES

7 Tucker Street, Cromer, NR27 9HA

Rent payable: £12,000pa
Lease: Rolling lease with 3-month notice period, with potential to agree new long term lease with the landlord.
Floorspace: 782sq ft (72.2sq m) approx.
Parking: 1 private parking space to rear of property.
Location: The property is situated on a busy commercial road in Cromer on Tucker Street, alongside a number of other independent retailers. It is opposite Cromer Parish Church and has a number of pubs, restaurants and eateries nearby which caters to tourists and locals all year around. The shop is a short walk from Cromer seafront and pier, which presents fantastic opportunities to capitalise on the high footfall, especially throughout the summer months.
Additional Notes: The property is glass fronted and is equipped with an air conditioning and heating unit. There is a spacious, open-plan retail area with a fitting room, and access to the stock room, kitchen and WC. To the rear of the property is the exit to the private car park which overlooks the seafront.

3 The Quay, Wells-next-the-Sea, NR23 1FA

Rent payable: £12,000 VAT
Lease: 3 year lease with 2 years remaining and option to renew.
Floorspace: 575sq ft (53.5sq m) approx.
Parking: No private parking available.
Location: This unit is in a stunning location overlooking the quay in Wells, which attracts an abundance of visitors all throughout the year. The business sits alongside a range of other independent establishments, including bakeries, seafood restaurants, gift shops, clothing outlets and many more, so this area benefits hugely from high footfall.
Additional Notes: The property has automatic sliding entrance doors which looking out to the stunning view of the quay. Inside, the shop benefits from underfloor heating, an alarm and CCTV system and double glazed windows. The main retail area includes a fitting room, with access to the WC, kitchen/stock room and rear exit.

THE BUSINESS

The business currently operates from two locations but has previous had an additional unit in Sheringham, so there is scope and demand for the brand to expand into other coastal locations. Although it’s primary area is North Norfolk, there are few outlets in the region who are able to offer as many products from the core brands in the industry, so additional locations could be set up as far down as Southwold and Aldeburgh, depending on the new owners plans for growth.

The shop currently opens 7 days per week during the season, which runs from Easter until October and is of course the busiest time. The current owners have chosen to close the shop for 5 weeks at the start of each year and 1 week during November, however one of the many benefits to running a lifestyle business is the flexibility and freedom to decide when to open, and when not to.

The business does currently have a website and popular social media channels, however the owners have identified these as areas that a new owner could really improve on. The existing website doesn’t have an e-commerce function, so this is something which could be improved to generate new streams of revenue and grow the Wet Dog brand.

The majority of existing customers do not live locally, so improving and growing the online presence of the business, as well as bringing in new ordering functions to the website could be simple changes which help significantly increase revenue.

There are also certain product lines which could be introduced to both shops such as children’s clothing, and expanding the range of “Wet Dog” branded clothing, so there are a number of areas which a new owner could look to improve early on.

The shop currently opens 7 days per week during the season, which runs from Easter until October and is of course the busiest time. The current owners have chosen to close the shop for 5 weeks at the start of each year and 1 week during November, however one of the many benefits to running a lifestyle business is the flexibility and freedom to decide when to open, and when not to.

The business does currently have a website and popular social media channels, however the owners have identified these as areas that a new owner could really improve on. The existing website doesn’t have an e-commerce function, so this is something which could be improved to generate new streams of revenue and grow the Wet Dog brand.

The majority of existing customers do not live locally, so improving and growing the online presence of the business, as well as bringing in new ordering functions to the website could be simple changes which help significantly increase revenue.

There are also certain product lines which could be introduced to both shops such as children’s clothing, and expanding the range of “Wet Dog” branded clothing, so there are a number of areas which a new owner could look to improve early on.