THE BIRD IN HAND MAIN ROAD, WESTHAY, GLASTONBURY

Well presented character village freehouse easy to run with low overheads and good
levels of trade and profits from deliberately restricted hours. Main Bar (60+); Snug
(6); Games Room (10+); Skittle Alley/Function Suite (40+); Commercial Kitchen; 4
Bedroom Owners Accommodation; Car Park (16); Trade Gardens (44); Potential to
convert the skittle alley and create 2/3 letting bedrooms.
THE BIRD IN HAND
MAIN ROAD, WESTHAY, GLASTONBURY, SOMERSET BA6 9TN
FREEHOLD: £365,000
REF: 4725
Suite B, Castle View Barns, Woodmanton, Exeter, Devon, EX5 1HQ Tel: 01392 201262
Email: info@stonesmith.co.uk Web: www.stonesmith.co.uk
Applicants are requested to make appointments to view and conduct negotiations through the Agents. No responsibility can be accepted for any expense incurred by fruitless journeys. Stonesmith for themselves and for the vendors or lessors of this property whose agents they are give notice that: i) the
particulars are set out as a general outline only for the guidance of intending purchasers or lessees and do not constitute, nor constitute part of, an offer or contract. ii) all descriptions, dimensions, references to condition and necessary permissions for use and occupation and other details are given without
responsibility and any intending purchasers or tenants should not rely on them as statements or representations of fact but must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the correctness of each of them. iii) no person in the employment of Stonesmith has any authority to make or give any
representation or warranty whatever in relation to this property. The word "property" throughout shall include business and trade contents if appropriate.
01392 201262
www.stonesmith.co.uk
THE PROPERTY
The Bird in Hand is a well presented character freehouse
which has been significantly refurbished by our clients over
the last three years and has origins reputedly dating back
around 150 years. The Bird in Hand is the focal point of the
local village community as well as many surrounding villages
and hamlets which do not have their own pub. This well
appointed freehouse briefly comprises:- Character Main Bar
(60 plus), Snug (6), Games Room (10 plus), Function
Room/Skittle Alley (40 plus), Commercial Kitchen with
ancillary areas, family sized first floor owners
accommodation with 4 Bedrooms, Sitting Room and Luxury
Bathroom. Externally, the property benefits from Car
Parking for around 16 vehicles, an Enclosed Trade Patio
Garden with al fresco seating for around 44 customers,
Further Private Courtyard Area and various useful
outbuildings and stores. Our clients advise us that there is
potential to reconfigure the function room/skittle alley and
create 2/3 en-suite letting bedrooms, subject to the
necessary consents.
SITUATION
The Bird in Hand is situated in Westhay, a rural village 5 miles
to the west of Glastonbury. The nearby nature reserves of
Westhay Moor and Westhay Heath have both been
designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is popular
with birdwatchers and walkers. The area is well known as a
site of the Starling Roost featured on many TV wildlife
programmes.
There
is
a
local
website
www.meareandwesthay.co.uk which provides further
helpful information. The nearby village of Meare provides a
primary school which was voted among the top ten in the
UK, the popular and idyllic village of Wedmoor is just 3 miles
away and Street, renowned for the Clarks Shopping Village
and offering a further choice of facilities, is within 6 miles.
The M5 (Junction 22) is within 12 miles, Bristol International
Airport is within 22 miles and the immediate area is well
known for its variety and diversity of sporting and leisure
facilities and is an area which is popular with visitors and
tourists throughout the year.
INTERNAL DETAILS
Entrance doors to the front and another to the rear off the
car park lead into Main Bar an attractive character single bar
trade area with oak flooring, exposed ceiling and wall
timbers, part exposed stone walls, feature fireplace with
inset woodburning stove, wall mounted menu boards, part
wood panelled walls, feature former Inglenook fireplace
seating area, door to rear, range of free standing wooden
tables, chairs, low stools and bar stools seating
approximately 60 customers plus standing room, darts oche
area. Wood fronted Bar Servery with Altro flooring, range of
back bar fittings, display shelving and optics, glass fronted
bottle fridge. Still Area with real ale stillage, glasswasher,
hand basin and upright fridge. Snug Area a continuation in
style and theme with oak flooring, part exposed stone walls,
pew style seating for 6 customers. Games Room with oak
flooring, pool table, wall mounted large screen television,
comfy sofas seating 10 customers, doors out to rear car park.
Function Room/Skittle Alley a versatile multi-purpose room
currently used as a Cinema and seating 40 with carpeted
flooring, exposed ceiling timbers. This room offers potential
for conversion to 2/3 en-suite letting bedrooms, subject to
the necessary approvals and consents. Commercial Kitchen
with tiled flooring and stainless steel clad walls, fitted with a
range of commercial catering equipment to incude:- 6burner gas range, stainless steel worksurfaces with shelving
below, twin deep fat fryer, 2 commercial microwave ovens,
commercial dishwasher, extractor system with stainless
steel canopy over, twin deep bowl stainless steel sink unit,
hand basin, upright fridge, upright freezer, under counter
freezer and door to rear. Preparation Room with stainless
steel racked shelving units, stainless steel workbench with
shelving below, microwave and door to front. Ladies &
Gents WCs.
OWNERS ACCOMMODATION
Situated on the first floor is the family sized owners
accommodation which briefly comprises:- Sitting Room
with aspect to front. Bedroom 1 a double room with aspect
to rear. Bedroom 2 a double room with aspect to rear.
Bedroom 3 a double room with aspect to front. Bedroom 4
a single room with aspect to front. Luxury Bathroom fitted
with a quality white suite with roll topped bath and separate
shower cubicle.
EXTERNAL DETAILS
To the side of the property is a tarmac Customer Car Park
Area with gated entrance and marked spaces for
approximately 16 vehicles. Beyond this is an Enclosed Patio
Terrace with traditional pub benches providing al fresco
seating for 44 customers. Smoking Shelter. Laundry Room
with washing machine and tumble dryer. Bin store area.
Wood Store. Further Enclosed Private Courtyard Area to
the rear giving access to the Beer Cellar.
THE BUSINESS
The Bird in Hand has undergone much refurbishment and
improvement by our clients during the past 3 years, resulting
in a classic and traditional character country village
freehouse presented to a high standard throughout. The pub
serves the local village as well as surrounding villages and
hamlets in the area, and also attracts tourist trade, not only
during the summer months, but throughout the year, due to
its proximity close to the renowned nature reserves. Well
presented throughout, our clients have endeavoured to
improve the property whilst enhancing the character of the
building, and the standards inherent throughout the
business ensure excellent levels of regular repeat business
and word of mouth recommendations. The pub is well
regarded by its clientele for its well kept ales and for its
quality freshly prepared pub food. The Bird in Hand is seen
very much as the centre of the local community and is well
supported by the village and is home to 2 darts teams, 1 pool
team, occasional quiz nights, occasional live music nights
and twice monthly cinema nights. The pub is also a meeting
place for many of the local societies and groups including a
film club, 2 book clubs, Allottment Society, fishermans club
and the ladies guild. However, almost no advertising or
marketing promotion is undertaken by our clients and the
business does not have a website.
Trading Information
Accounts for the year ending 31 October 2015 show sales of
£110,663 net of VAT with reconstituted profits in excess of
£40,000 being achieved. Split of trade is 71% wet sales and
29% food sales. Full detailed accounting information can be
made available to interested parties following a formal
viewing appointment.
Opening Hours
Due to personal choice, the current opening hours are
deliberately restricted by our clients with the current
opening hours being 6:00pm until 11:00pm seven days a
week and from midday until 3:00pm on a Sunday. No other
lunchtime opening is undertaken although our clients advise
that demand exists for this, particularly during the peak
summer months.
Current Staffing
The business is run by our clients, a husband and wife
partnership, with the assistance of 2 casual members of staff.
REASON FOR SALE
Genuine retirement sale.
RATING
For up to date Business Rates and Council Tax information
relating to the property, we refer you to the Valuation
Officen Agency website www.voa.gov.uk.
SERVICES
We are advised that mains electricity, water and drainage are
connected to the pub and that there is an LPG bulk tank
which provides gas for cooking and central heating.
INVENTORY
To include all trade furnishings and equipment as per an
inventory to be supplied , but excluding any personal effects.
EPC – To be confirmed.
PRICE AND TENURE
£365,000 for the valuable freehold interest as a going
concern business and full trade inventory. Wet and dry stock
to be additional at valuation. Vacant possession upon
completion.
FINANCE
An early discussion about finance can often save time and
disappointment. If you would like independent specialist
advice on funding this property or any other purchase,
contact us for details of our approved brokers.
VIEWINGS
Strictly by appointment with the vendors Sole Selling
Agents. Tel 01392 201262 or email: info@stonesmith.co.uk.
You are recommended to contact us before visiting the
property even for an informal viewing. We can then confirm
whether or not it is still available.
S615 Printed by Ravensworth 01670 713330