| (REF: SE001386) Well Est Profitable Aquatic Showroom - E Sussex/Kent Border |
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| Seller Reference: |
SE001386 |
| B4S Reference: |
28451 |
| Asking Price: |
£99,500
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| Net Profit: |
Undisclosed |
| Sales Revenue: |
Undisclosed |
| Number of Staff: |
Send enquiry for more details. |
| Established For: |
Send enquiry for more details. |
| Ownership: |
Leasehold |
| Location: |
Undisclosed, East Sussex, United Kingdom |
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A WELL ESTABLISHED AND PROFITABLE AQUATIC AND WATER GARDEN CENTRE ON OUSKIRTS OF BUSY TOWN NEAR THE KENT/SUSSEX BORDER
LOCATION
This well established and highly lucrative aquatic and water garden showroom occupies a central position within a thriving high-class garden centre on the outskirts of prosperous town in East Sussex. The centre offers a wide selection of house and garden products, design and landscaping services and a café. As such the business is provided with a high level of footfall throughout the year and is very well known and regarded.
THE PROPERTY
The business occupies a modern aluminium and glass building with twin peak roofs, and an extensive external retail area fenced off from the rest of the garden centre. The entrance to the shop is adjacent to the exit from the indoor display area on the main traffic flow path through the centre, immediately beyond the café. There is a ramp providing level access and the business is well advertised with fascia and window signage.
Entrance to the shop is via automatic double sliding doors leading to a modern retail interior with solid flooring, a mix of florescent and halogen spot lighting and plenty of natural light from ceiling height glass windows on two sides of the building. At the entrance there is a service counter with electronic cash register and a further desk with pc and printer. The centre of the room is taken up with freestanding display aquariums and a living plant cascade display, while the outer walls fitted with a good range of adjustable shelving and further pos display units.
Leading off is the live fish display area with 76 racked tanks displaying a wide range of small tropical fish, a single large tank for specimen fish and a multi-unit marine display with central large hexagonal aquarium for special displays. All the tanks are fully equipped with pumps, filtration systems and heating lamps with all the equipment being included in the asking price. In this area there is further shelving and wall hanging space for dry goods and an upright display fridge containing fresh feeding products. At the rear is a small kitchenette with sink unit and electronic scales.
The external retail area is well laid out in a water garden style with 6 cascading Koi tanks constructed from brick forming an attractive feature, and a further 11 open tanks containing a variety of pond fish. There are various stainless steel open tanks for pond plants as well as a raised area used for larger items such as decorative masonry products and pond liners etc. double gates provide vehicular access to the main car park.
TENURE
Leasehold - 15 years remaining on a renewable lease with rent currently at £7,800 pa. The next review is due in 3 years with a 5-yearly frequency thereafter.
We are advised that business rates are approximately £3,150 for the current year, although a new owner may be eligible for small business relief upon application to the local authority.
THE BUSINESS
The business was established by the owner over 6 years ago and has developed it into the premier aquatic and water garden business in the area, renowned for its expertise and quality of advice as well as high quality goods and live fish. The owner is now offering the business for sale due to his other business commitments but is willing to offer a generous hand-over to the new owner to ensure a smooth transition.
The business retails a wide range of dry goods including indoor aquariums and their equipment such as pumps, filters, heaters, ornaments, live plants etc., fish foods and health treatments, specialist books, test kits, spares and accessories for indoor and outdoor use. It also stocks a huge selection of tropical and cold water fish from the popular and well-known varieties to more exotic specialist species. The quarantine facility ensures that the health of the stock meets the highest standards so that customers may be sure they are buying from a trusted source.
The business is run mainly under staff with some part time input from the owner, and it is his intention that they will be transferred to his other business upon completion of the handover period. Currently there are two full time employees and in our opinion the business would ideally suit a working couple such as a partnership of family members or active enthusiasts. Trading hours are those operated by the garden centre:
Monday - Saturday 9.00am - 5.30pm
Sunday 10.00am - 4.00pm
Turnover has remained in excess of £200,000 for the last 3 years with gross profit margins averaging around 40% yielding a very attractive net profit to working owners thanks to the low fixed overheads. We understand that stock value is around £20,000 but we understand that this can be adjusted following exchange of contracts and prior to completion, if required. Full accounts and financial information will be made available to seriously interested parties following an initial viewing and meeting with the owner.
This is a superb opportunity to acquire a well established business with an excellent reputation and ideal trading premises with ready made footfall. We believe that there is plenty of scope to expand the business either through the addition of new lines such as reptiles or other animals and/or the introduction of on-line sales from the existing website.
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Property: |
Leasehold |
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Living Accommodation: |
No |
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Is this a home-based business? |
No |
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Can this business be relocated? |
No |
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Is this business part of a franchise? |
No |
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