Beautifully Presented Licensed Café with Three Bedroom Maisonette

This beautifully presented south-facing café occupies a prominent position within a thriving retail parade in Hove, East Sussex. Framed by attractive flower planters to the front, the café offers inviting outside seating and enjoys excellent visibility within a densely populated residential area, surrounded by a variety of complementary businesses including a convenience store, Post Office and offices. Established three years ago, the café has built an excellent reputation for its freshly prepared breakfasts, lunches and baked goods, reflected in its impressive 4.7-star Google rating. The business is offered for sale only as the vendor wishes to pursue other opportunities. The premises are presented to a high standard throughout and benefit from a large rear garden with additional customer seating, creating an attractive space for families and alfresco dining. The café also holds a premises licence, providing scope to further expand the already successful evening offering. Previous events have included supper clubs, speed dating evenings and live jazz nights, demonstrating the potential to increase turnover through extended trading hours. A further significant benefit is the inclusion of a spacious owner-only maisonette, providing valuable on-site accommodation.

THE PREMISES: Occupying a prominent position on a busy main road in Hove, this attractive single-fronted café is situated within a prosperous parade of shops, surrounded by densely populated residential areas between Poets Corner and Church Road. The premises also benefit from several schools being within easy walking distance, generating strong local trade. The café is well presented throughout and features a serve-over refrigerated display counter showcasing freshly prepared salads and baked goods, together with a two-group coffee machine and grinder behind the counter. Customer seating comprises approximately 30 covers internally, 10 covers to the front terrace and a further 20 covers within the beautifully maintained rear garden, which includes a dedicated children’s play kitchen area, making it particularly popular with families. To the rear of the premises is a well-equipped galley kitchen, dry store and customer WC.

ACCOMMODATION: The lease includes owner’s accommodation which is accessed via a separate door adjacent to the cafe. The maisonette  consists of two double bedrooms and 1 single bedroom, a lounge, kitchen/dinner, family bathroom and separate toilet. 

TURNOVER : The business is currently owner-operated, with the vendor working full-time alongside one full-time chef and one part-time member of staff. We are advised that the business generates an average weekly turnover of approximately £2,500. Trading hours are 8:00am–5:00pm Tuesday to Friday and 9:00am–4:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays. In addition to its daytime trade, the business has successfully hosted a number of evening supper clubs, speed dating nights and a jazz band, demonstrating further scope to increase revenue through extended trading hours.

PREMISES LICENCE: 2026/01134/LAPREN - Sale of retail alcohol to be consumed inside only - 08:00:00 - 10:00 Monday- Saturday 9:30AM - 6PM on Sunday. 

TENURE:  The premises are currently held on a full repairing and insuring lease, which has approximately 4  years unexpired at a current rent of £24,000 per annum, exclusive of VAT.  The next rent review and break clause is in April 2028. The lease ends in April 2030.

RATES: The rateable value is £11,000 per annum and the current rates payable are zero due to the small business rate relief scheme. Prospective occupiers should make their own enquiries to verify same. 

GENERAL REMARKS: A rare opportunity to acquire a well-established café occupying a prominent trading position on the popular Portland Road in Hove. The business benefits from consistent year-round trade and offers 48 covers across the internal seating area, front terrace and attractive rear garden. The lease also includes a spacious three-bedroom maisonette, while the premises licence provides scope to diversify the existing operation. An excellent lifestyle business in a strong trading location.

PRICE: We are instructed to quote for the lease, premises licence, goodwill, fixture and fittings - £55,000 SAV 

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

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

ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE:  The premises has been rated a Band B and 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: 6956C

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