Beachside Convenience Store For Sale

Business description

They say that it’s all about location, location, location; well the location of and views from this business are probably among the best in the UK with the lovely Seaton Sands beach literally straight across the road. Between serving customers the lucky purchaser can sit outside his shop in the sunshine listening to the waves and looking at a view that changes all day long. What a great place to work!

This business is ideal for someone who enjoys the beach lifestyle and wants to build a place for him or herself in the community. It is the only convenience store within Seaton and provides all the essentials to the locals who make up some 70% of the resident population as well as to the holiday-makers, day trippers and short term summer rentals.

In addition to selling groceries and beach gear, the business also operates as a newsagency with the potential to do home deliveries, an off-licence with the opportunity to expand the range of wines on offer, an internet cafe for beach-goers and holiday-makers, a coffee shop with an outdoor seating area which could be expanded and a laundrette used by both the holiday market and the locals. In fact the things this business has done to boost trade are amazing and yet there is still huge potential to increase it further.

The present owner started the business only five summers ago and has already developed a viable and profitable business that makes a good income of some £15k per annum. Turnover in 2008 is some 10% up on the previous year which in turn was up on the year before that. Up until October 2008 there is also a post office in the premises but that is closing and the post office salary is not included in the stated turnover figures. The PO also provides a cash machine and there is an opportunity to keep this and earn additional commission income since it is the only cash machine for miles around!

In the summer months the turnover rises dramatically to some £5k per week but in the winter when the trade is mainly locals and the wind-surfers, the turnover reduces to around £1200 per week. At present the owner opens 7 days per week 8.30-5.00pm but a purchaser could increase those hours during the summer months to catch the sun-downers while reducing the hours in the winter months to provide him or herself with a more seasonal lifestyle.

The owners employ a part-time shop assistant who works Tues, Thurs, Sat and Sun in order to give the owner time off from the business.

Included in the sale price is equipment which the owner purchased for at least £12k and includes washing machines, dryers, computers, server, soft ice cream machine, ice cream freezer and display cabinet and chiller cabinet.

A new lease of up to 21 years is being offered by the landlord at a starting rental of £7500

Property information

Property:

Leasehold

Other information

Reasons for selling:

Retirement

Trading hours:

8.30-5.00

Furniture / Fixtures value:

£8,000 (included in the asking price)

Inventory / Stock value:

£8,000