SOMERSET - LANDMARK, FREE OF TIE PUB AND RESTAURANT IN A PROMINENT ROADSIDE POSITION ON A MAJOR ROAD
Buckland St. Mary, Chard, Somerset
Ref: 96014
Leasehold £150,000
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Key Features
Precis
Eagle Tavern – Landmark property in prominent position on the edge of the village of Buckland st Mary. Situated on a major route with Exeter, Taunton, Chard and Ilminster all being within 10 miles. Excellent road side visibility with lots of passing trade from the A303. Set in a plot of 1.2 acres, benefitting from a large bar and restaurant area including a function room, trade patio and large beer garden. In addition, the private accommodation has 7 bedrooms, with potential to offer some letting accommodation. High turnover business and well established. Available on new free of tie lease.
Location
The Eagle Tavern occupies a prominent position in the village of Buckland St Mary, a desirable rural community set in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The property is situated on the main route through the village, providing excellent roadside visibility and easy access for both local residents and passing trade.
Buckland St Mary is a traditional Somerset village characterised by a range of period properties, a parish church and an active local community. The surrounding area is renowned for its unspoilt countryside which is enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts and attracts a steady flow of visitors throughout the year.
The village benefits from excellent transport links and The Eagle Tavern is adjacent to the A303 trunk road. The A303 provides direct access eastwards towards London and westwards towards Exeter and the South West. The county town of Taunton, with its comprehensive retail, business and leisure facilities, is 8 miles to the north and has a mainline railway station with regular services to London Paddington. Chard (7 miles) and Ilminster (6 miles) are also within easy reach, both offering a range of local amenities. Junction 25 of the M5 motorway is approximately 9 miles distant and provides good regional connections.
The Eagle Tavern is exceptionally well placed to serve the local community, to attract visitors exploring the Blackdown Hills and the Somerset countryside and to capture passing trade from the A303. The business, currently franchised as La Campagna, is within a detached landmark property set in a plot of approximately 1.5 acres.
Buckland St Mary is a traditional Somerset village characterised by a range of period properties, a parish church and an active local community. The surrounding area is renowned for its unspoilt countryside which is enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts and attracts a steady flow of visitors throughout the year.
The village benefits from excellent transport links and The Eagle Tavern is adjacent to the A303 trunk road. The A303 provides direct access eastwards towards London and westwards towards Exeter and the South West. The county town of Taunton, with its comprehensive retail, business and leisure facilities, is 8 miles to the north and has a mainline railway station with regular services to London Paddington. Chard (7 miles) and Ilminster (6 miles) are also within easy reach, both offering a range of local amenities. Junction 25 of the M5 motorway is approximately 9 miles distant and provides good regional connections.
The Eagle Tavern is exceptionally well placed to serve the local community, to attract visitors exploring the Blackdown Hills and the Somerset countryside and to capture passing trade from the A303. The business, currently franchised as La Campagna, is within a detached landmark property set in a plot of approximately 1.5 acres.
Property
TRADE AREAS
Entrance from the front of the property into a quaint PUBLIC BAR presented with a mix of parquet and mosaic tile flooring, a fireplace, wall panelling, ceiling timbers and a polished, wooden top bar servery. The public bar has seating for approximately 12 customers. Beyond is the DINING ROOM, an open-plan extension of the public bar, which can seat around 64 customers. This area is well presented with fine décor, stone tile flooring and ceiling timbers.
To the rear of the property and beyond the dining room is the FUNCTION ROOM. This is used for private events and has seating for around 30 customers. It is presented with wood effect flooring, exposed brick walls, a pitched ceiling with heavily exposed ceiling timbers, skylight windows, a log burning stove and a panel front, wooden top bar servery with wooden back bar display. A small STOREROOM is currently rented out to a local antiques auction house for £400 per month. Ladies’, Gentlemen’s and accessible CUSTOMER TOILETS.
CATERING KITCHEN with nonslip flooring, UPVC cladding, stainless steel equipment, worktops, extraction and a wash station with pull down commercial dishwasher. CHEMICAL STORE. PLANT and STOREROOM. Refrigerated BEER STORE. STAFF TOILET. DRY STORE. Walk-in COLD ROOM and walk-in FREEZER.
OWNERS' ACCOMMODATION
Located on the first floor, comprising five DOUBLE BEDROOMS, two SINGLE BEDROOMS (one with the space for an en suite), LIVING ROOM, WC, BATHROOM, SHOWER ROOM and KITCHENETTE. There is one internal staircase and one external staircase to the first-floor accommodation.
There is scope to convert some of the first floor accommodation into letting rooms.
EXTERNAL
A spacious lawned beer garden with far reaching views across the Blackdown Hills with bench seating for well over 100 customers. Children’s play area. Sheltered trade patio with electric heaters and seating for approximately 30. Staff area with bin store and sheltered space. Fenced off private garden, currently unutilised. Land extends beyond the trade garden and subject to planning permission, there is potential to offer camping pods/shepherds huts. Forecourt car park for a vast number of vehicles.
Entrance from the front of the property into a quaint PUBLIC BAR presented with a mix of parquet and mosaic tile flooring, a fireplace, wall panelling, ceiling timbers and a polished, wooden top bar servery. The public bar has seating for approximately 12 customers. Beyond is the DINING ROOM, an open-plan extension of the public bar, which can seat around 64 customers. This area is well presented with fine décor, stone tile flooring and ceiling timbers.
To the rear of the property and beyond the dining room is the FUNCTION ROOM. This is used for private events and has seating for around 30 customers. It is presented with wood effect flooring, exposed brick walls, a pitched ceiling with heavily exposed ceiling timbers, skylight windows, a log burning stove and a panel front, wooden top bar servery with wooden back bar display. A small STOREROOM is currently rented out to a local antiques auction house for £400 per month. Ladies’, Gentlemen’s and accessible CUSTOMER TOILETS.
CATERING KITCHEN with nonslip flooring, UPVC cladding, stainless steel equipment, worktops, extraction and a wash station with pull down commercial dishwasher. CHEMICAL STORE. PLANT and STOREROOM. Refrigerated BEER STORE. STAFF TOILET. DRY STORE. Walk-in COLD ROOM and walk-in FREEZER.
OWNERS' ACCOMMODATION
Located on the first floor, comprising five DOUBLE BEDROOMS, two SINGLE BEDROOMS (one with the space for an en suite), LIVING ROOM, WC, BATHROOM, SHOWER ROOM and KITCHENETTE. There is one internal staircase and one external staircase to the first-floor accommodation.
There is scope to convert some of the first floor accommodation into letting rooms.
EXTERNAL
A spacious lawned beer garden with far reaching views across the Blackdown Hills with bench seating for well over 100 customers. Children’s play area. Sheltered trade patio with electric heaters and seating for approximately 30. Staff area with bin store and sheltered space. Fenced off private garden, currently unutilised. Land extends beyond the trade garden and subject to planning permission, there is potential to offer camping pods/shepherds huts. Forecourt car park for a vast number of vehicles.
The Business
The Eagle Tavern has been under our client's ownership for several years: they were a tenant before purchasing the freehold in February 2024. Our client has been operating the business under their franchised Italian restaurant chain and now wishes to lease it, either as a public house or a restaurant (depending on the preference of the incoming tenant). The business has proved to be a successful destination bar and restaurant; it has a regular local trade and consistent passing trade, being well positioned on the A303 trunk road.
For the year ended 29 February 2024, our client achieved a net turnover of £582,770 with a gross profit of 68%. Trade has proved consistent year on year and historic accounts can be made available to serious parties following a formal viewing.
Our client now wishes to focus on other business interests and is seeking an enthusiastic, experienced operator for The Eagle Tavern. We are of the opinion that the business could continue to trade as a roadside destination public house and restaurant. In addition, there is potential to convert part of the upstairs accommodation into letting rooms whilst the extensive grounds to the rear of the property may prove suitable for shepherd’s huts (subject to planning permission).
For the year ended 29 February 2024, our client achieved a net turnover of £582,770 with a gross profit of 68%. Trade has proved consistent year on year and historic accounts can be made available to serious parties following a formal viewing.
Our client now wishes to focus on other business interests and is seeking an enthusiastic, experienced operator for The Eagle Tavern. We are of the opinion that the business could continue to trade as a roadside destination public house and restaurant. In addition, there is potential to convert part of the upstairs accommodation into letting rooms whilst the extensive grounds to the rear of the property may prove suitable for shepherd’s huts (subject to planning permission).
Tenure
LEASEHOLD £150,000 to include goodwill, fixtures and fittings. Stock at valuation in addition.
TERM: Open to discussion, subject to covenant strength.
LANDLORD & TENANT ACT 1954: Inside Part II Landlord & Tenant Act 1954
ASSIGNABILITY: Fully assignable, subject to Landlord's consent
BOND: A bond equivalent to 3 months' rent in advance
RENT: £40,000 per annum, paid monthly in advance
RENT REVIEW: Subject to rent reviews every five years of the terms
REPAIR LIABILITY: Full repairing and insuring lease
TIE: Free of all trade ties
INSURANCE: The Landlord will insure the building, the cost of which will be charged to the Tenant by the way of an Insurance Rent.
VAT: VAT will not be payable on the Premium and rental payments.
No direct approach to be made to the business; please direct all communications through Sidney Phillips.
Viewing strictly by appointment only.
TERM: Open to discussion, subject to covenant strength.
LANDLORD & TENANT ACT 1954: Inside Part II Landlord & Tenant Act 1954
ASSIGNABILITY: Fully assignable, subject to Landlord's consent
BOND: A bond equivalent to 3 months' rent in advance
RENT: £40,000 per annum, paid monthly in advance
RENT REVIEW: Subject to rent reviews every five years of the terms
REPAIR LIABILITY: Full repairing and insuring lease
TIE: Free of all trade ties
INSURANCE: The Landlord will insure the building, the cost of which will be charged to the Tenant by the way of an Insurance Rent.
VAT: VAT will not be payable on the Premium and rental payments.
No direct approach to be made to the business; please direct all communications through Sidney Phillips.
Viewing strictly by appointment only.
Licence
A full Premises Licence is held.
Services
Mains electricity and water are connected. Drainage is via a septic tank. Oil fired central heating. LPG bottles for cooking.
Rateable Value: £25,500 as at 1 April 2023.
Local Authority: Somerset Council.
Rateable Value: £25,500 as at 1 April 2023.
Local Authority: Somerset Council.
Enquire about this listing
Nathan Stainer
Wessex
Ref: 96014
