Thriving Café in picturesque village, Mid Sussex – Prime Location with Strong Reputation

Situated in a charming village in Mid this is a superb opportunity to acquire a very well-regarded café in a prime position within a busy and vibrant shopping area. The business benefits from a strong and loyal local customer base, together with visitors drawn to the area thanks to excellent road and rail links to London, the Sussex coast and the South Downs. The café enjoys an outstanding reputation, with excellent reviews on Tripadvisor (5★), Google Reviews (4.8★) and Facebook (5★). A varied breakfast, brunch and lunch menu is offered during the day, complemented by extremely popular Italian evenings held once a month, which are consistently well supported. The business is now being offered for sale due to the vendor’s retirement. This represents an exceptional turnkey opportunity for an incoming operator to take over an already successful and profitable café, with clear scope to further develop the evening trade and build on the excellent foundations already in place.

THE PREMISES:  The café is located on a bustling high street in a Mid Sussex village.  The café comes to the market in excellent condition, having been refurbished in 2019 and undergoes regular maintenance. The café has seating for some 30 covers inside and a further 12 covers available outside to the front of the premises.  The serve over counter is located towards the rear of the premises which is used to display an array of homemade cakes and pastries. The coffee machine and grinder are also located here. The theatre style kitchen is adjacent to the serve over counter and is fitted with domestic extraction and has an array of commercial appliances. Towards the rear of the property is a dry storeroom, additional food preparation area with washing up facilities and two toilets. There is also rear access available, which provides access to the bins and a parking space.

TENURE:  The premises is held on a full repairing and insuring lease expires which has 9 years remaining at a current rental of £12,740.  The next rent review is due to take place in 2027.

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 zero. The rateable value for the property is £13,750 per annum. The Prospective occupiers should make their own enquiries to verify same.

ALCOHOL LICENCE: The licence allows for the sale of alcohol to be consumed on and off the premises between the hours of 11am-11pm.

TURNOVER: This thriving business is operated by the vendors with the assistance of two part-time staff members and generates an average weekly turnover of £4,000, demonstrating consistent profitability. In addition, the vendors host a very popular Italian-themed night once a month, which is always fully booked and generates £1,800 per event — a clear indication of the strong local following and demand. The business currently trades Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30am to 5:00pm, offering obvious scope to increase turnover by extending evening hours, expanding outside catering, developing the breakfast offering, and building further on the success of the themed nights. This is an excellent opportunity for a new owner to acquire a well-established, profitable business with genuine potential for further growth.

GENERAL REMARKS:  An outstanding opportunity to acquire a fantastic café in a busy village within a vibrant and popular shopping area. The premises are fully equipped and presented in excellent condition, ready for immediate trading. A secure lease is in place, and the business holds an alcohol licence. There is clear potential to extend opening hours and introduce regular evening events to further increase revenue. Early viewing highly recommended.

PRICE:   We are instructed to quote for the goodwill, lease, equipment, premises licence, trade fixtures and fittings Price reduction £65,000 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 premises has been rated a Band C, the full report is available upon 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:         6929C

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 a 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 Watkins Commercial.