Bar and Restaurant with late Licence In affluent Mid Sussex Town

This well-equipped bar and restaurant is located in the centre of a thriving and affluent town in Mid Sussex benefiting from excellent transport links and a strong local economy. The business is positioned within a well-established leisure circuit, surrounded by a range of bars, restaurants, and cafés, and enjoys consistently high levels of footfall, particularly during evening trading hours. The premises represent a versatile trading opportunity, well suited for use as a bar, restaurant, or combined operation, and benefit from a late alcohol licence. The venue provides seating for approximately 100 covers and has been owned and operated by the vendors since 2007, during which time it has developed a strong reputation and a loyal customer base. The kitchen is currently operated by a Thai chef providing evening food service; however, there is scope to enhance turnover by introducing brunch and lunchtime trading. The venue hosts a regular programme of entertainment, including quiz nights, karaoke, live bands, and resident DJs on Friday and Saturday evenings, contributing to its position as an established and popular destination in the town.

THE PREMISES: The business occupies the entire building in the town’s principal hub for bars and restaurants. To the front of the property is a large, partially covered outdoor terrace providing seating for approximately 60 covers and benefiting from excellent afternoon sun. Internally, the main bar and restaurant area offers a further 40 covers, with a maximum overall capacity of 180. The premises feature a fully fitted cocktail bar equipped with under-counter refrigeration and 11 draught beer lines, together with a dedicated DJ booth and integrated sound system. All fixtures and fittings are included within the sale. Separate ladies’ and gents’ customer toilets are located to the rear of the property, adjacent to a small office. The fully fitted commercial kitchen is positioned to the right-hand rear and includes extraction, gas hobs, and stainless-steel equipment throughout, arranged into distinct cooking, preparation, and wash-up areas. To the rear of the premises is a service road providing access to bin storage and a separate storage unit housing a walk-in fridge, additional dry storage, and an ice machine. 180. There is a fully fitted cocktail bar with undercounter fridges and has 11 beer lines fitted. There is also a DJ booth adjacent to the bar and the bar is fitted with a sound system. All fixture and fittings are to be included in the sale. The separate ladies and gents’ toilets are located to the rear of the property, along with an accessible toilet. Which is also next to a small office space. Towards the right rear of the premises is the fully fitted kitchen with extraction, gas hobs and stainless-steel equipment throughout. The kitchen is spilt into 3 areas, cooking, preparation and washing up. At the rear of the property is a service road where the bins are stored and there is a storage unit which contains a walk-in fridge, additional dry storage, ice machine and the drinks cellar. The premises is fitted with CCTV and an alarm.

TURNOVER:  The business is currently operated under management, with the vendors providing overall oversight. The team consists of a full-time manager, supported by an assistant manager and a pool of 12 part-time staff. Current trading hours are 11:30am to midnight on Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 11:30am to 2:00am on Fridays and Saturdays. The business achieves an average weekly turnover of approximately £8,700, demonstrating strong and consistent customer demand. The venue is also well established as a popular location for private hire events, alongside regular quiz nights and live band performances throughout the year. The kitchen is presently operated in the evenings by a Thai chef; however, there is significant scope to further develop food sales by introducing brunch and lunchtime trading, thereby maximising the full potential of this well-positioned and highly regarded business.

ALCOHOL LICENCE –Late night refreshment and retail sales on Sunday-Thursday 10am-12am and 10am-2am on Friday and Saturday. The licence also allows live music, performance of dance and the exhibition of a film.

GENERAL REMARKS: A secure lease and outstanding reputation combine to make this a highly attractive opportunity. Prominently located in an affluent Mid Sussex town, the town’s principal hub for bars and restaurants, the property benefits from a large outdoor terrace to the front. The premises hold a late alcohol licence and include a fully fitted commercial kitchen, making it ideally suited for use as a bar, restaurant, or a combined operation.

TENURE: The entire premises are held on a full repairing and insuring lease with 9 years remaining at a current rental of £34,000 per annum. There is a rent review in November 2026 and a tenant only break clause in 2030.

RATES: We have been verbally informed that the business receives the benefit of the Small Business Rate Relief and the amount payable at the present time is £996 per month. The rateable value for the property is £42,000 per annum. Prospective occupiers should make their own enquiries to verify same.

PRICE: We are instructed to quote for the goodwill, valuable lease, premises licence, equipment, trade fixtures, fittings and chattels Price £70,000 SAV

LEGAL FEES:  Each party to be responsible for their own legal costs.

VIEWING: On no account should any approach be made to the Manager or the staff without a prior appointment through the vendor’s agents, Watkins Commercial, Telephone: 01273 709090. 

ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE:  The property has been rated band C, the full report is available on request.

DISCLAIMER: Neither the Vendor nor the Agent gives or implies any warranty that the premises are fit for any particular use or that they comply with any relevant regulation or statutory requirement.

The agents have not tested any apparatus, equipment, fittings or services so cannot verify that they are in working order.  The buyer is advised to obtain verification from their solicitor or surveyor before proceeding with the purchase.

VAT: All prices and rents are quoted exclusive of VAT.  Any intending purchasers or lessees must satisfy themselves independently as to the incidence of VAT in respect of any transaction.

MORTGAGE  & FINANCIAL PLANNING:         We shall be pleased to assist any purchaser in arranging finance to acquire this business or any other business you may be considering subject to status. 

Prop. Ref:              6922C

These particulars are believed to be correct but their accuracy is not guaranteed and they do not form any part of any contract

APPLICANTS CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT

I understand and agree that any information regarding any business supplied to by Watkins Commercial will be kept strictly confidential.  I also undertake that I will:

i)                View businesses registered with Watkins Commercial by appointment only.

ii)              Not contact any owner, staff, suppliers, competitors or customers of any business

                  registered with Watkins Commercial

iii)             Not pass on any information supplied by Watkins Commercial to any third party other than professional advisor et. Bank, solicitor, surveyor accountant, etc.

iv)             Submit any offers direct to Watkins Commercial with whom I will conduct all negotiations

v)              Be liable for any commission which would have been due to Watkins Commercial should I be party to negotiations or actions which seek to preclude, or are contrary to the interest of Watki