Established Village Cafe for Sale in Alverstoke, Hampshire

Trusted turnkey business in sought-after village location near popular dog walking locations and beach with loyal customer base and profitable seasonal events. Great potential to expand the business with online presence. Leasehold with current turnover of £1,500 per week. £78,000 per annum.

Fully operational, with a new 5 or 10 year lease to be negotiated with the landlord. 

This is an ideal first business. Everything is ready to go, with reliable staff already in place. There is significant potential to extend opening hours or establish online presence, but due to retirement and arthritis, the owner has not done so.

It is a great friendly little café, often called the hub of the village. Owner-operated since 2019. Currently open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am–3pm. Closed Sunday and Monday. 

Staffing currently consists of: Owner and one additional staff member Tuesday to Friday, Owner and Saturday assistant on Saturdays

Retirement sale. The business has been run for the last seven years by an experienced café manager, who would be willing to mentor the new owner during the handover period.

History of the business

Opened in September 2019 after the previous business closed in May 2019, due to previous owner having a shift in circumstances after several successful years in business. The current owner has built this business up after the previous owner closed.

There is a loyal and repeat customer base, with new customers moving into the area constantly.

The café currently serves takeaway cakes and pastries, alongside an ever-changing daily specials board featuring homemade lunches and soups. The café currently opens once a month for Sunday lunches, and sells jams and pickles, which continue to be popular.

As part of the business, there is a small gift shop operating from the first floor. This provides additional space beyond the café itself and could be developed further.

Frequent approaches for large catering orders for local events and venue hire of the upstairs

Lucrative seasonal events

There are several lucrative events in the village, including the Michaelmas Fair, an annual event where takings are roughly £5,000 on the day. Other local events include garden walkabouts and the Christmas Tree Festival, which bring visitors to the business from across the wider area.

Potential to expand

There is huge potential to expand, including: 

• Establishing online presence. Limited social media so far has generated high trust and loyal following
• Extending opening hours (currently do not serve all day breakfasts or brunches)
• Obtaining a commercial licence to serve alcohol
• Additional room is included which has been operating as a gift shop
• Potential venue hire of the upstairs
   

About the space

Ground Floor: Seating for 10 people and additional seating for 6 outdoors, Coffee counter and Cold counter for sandwiches, sausage rolls, drinks and cakes

Fittings include: Floor-standing glass cabinet and display unit, Chest of drawers, Bread display, Counter, Barista coffee machine and grinder (on loan from Mozzo Coffee), Three additional tables for outside seating, Sharp cash till

First Floor: Seating for 22 people. Additional room called The Snug, currently used as a gift shop

Fittings include: Tables and chairs, Rugs, mirrors and lighting, Bookshelf, Corner unit and sideboard, Floor-standing and Table lamps

Kitchen includes: Double fridge, Freezer, Hob, Electric oven, Water heater, Commercial griddle, 1800-watt microwave, Commercial double air fryer, Sandwich toaster, Pots and pans, Hand mixer and stick blender, Scales, Double toaster, Plates and knives

High trust

• Google reviews: 4.6 from 50 reviews
• Trustpilot: 5 stars, 12 reviews, listed as 48/150 restaurants in Gosport - https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g616264-d19242401-Reviews-Joy_s_of_Alverstoke-Gosport_Hampshire_England.html
• Facebook page: 764 followers with 1 following - https://www.facebook.com/p/Joys-of-alverstoke-100057335594609/
• 5/5 Hygiene Rating since opening

Owner's comments

I would love somebody to take over this business who can continue to run it and take it to the next level. 

It has been perfect for me and I have run it in a way that suited my circumstances and with a lot of pride in my business and customers. However, there is a great deal of potential for somebody with the energy and ambition to develop the business further.

The café is also extremely well situated in comparison to other businesses in the area with access to high value seasonal events and a loyal village community.