Have you ever fancied yourself as a pub landlord? Now might be your chance, as there are four pubs on the market in East Devon.
The pubs are listed on Rightmove, the UK’s largest online property portal, and range in price from £385,000 to half a million pounds.
Old Inn, Kilmington (£500,000)
The Old Inn is a Grade II-listed thatched pub that dates back to the sixteenth century.
The pub closed at the end of August and is now on the market with Stonesmith, an Exeter-based firm specialising in the sale of licensed, hospitality and catering businesses.
It retains much of its original charm and character, such as exposed ceiling timbers and feature fireplaces.
The Old Inn comes with a three-bedroom owners' accommodation, a beer garden with seating for more than 80 people and a customer car park.
The Rightmove listing says: “The Old Inn is a highly regarded and well-presented destination country inn and a viewing is strongly recommended to fully appreciate the quality and standards inherent throughout this impressive business and property and the undoubted potential it offers new owners.”
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The Blacksmith's Arms, Plymtree (£462,000)
This pub, located around four miles from Cullompton, is on the market because the owners are retiring after running the business for 16 years.
It is currently open for a limited number of hours but has an annual turnover of more than £180,000 (to April 2023), showing its potential to grow.
It is the only pub in the village and has developed a “reputation for delivering quality homecooked cuisine”.
The business also benefits from nearby holiday accommodation, such as camping and glamping sites.
There is a generous three-bedroom private accommodation, internal dining for 50-plus people and an alfresco courtyard with seating for 38 more.
The listing says: “We are sure that new owners could improve trade by opening longer hours and developing the food offering.
“This is a great opportunity to develop what is already a successful business.”
The Blacksmith's Arms is on the market with Sprosen Grosvenor.
The Honiton Inn, Awliscombe (£395,000)
Described as a “good example of a country inn”, this pub briefly comprises a lounge bar, restaurant, games room, function suite, skittle alley and commercial kitchen.
Outside, there is private parking for four-plus vehicles, while there is unrestricted parking available in the neighbouring parish council car park.
There is an enclosed beer garden at the rear of the property.
It is located around two miles west of Honiton and nine miles east of Cullompton.
The pub is being marketed by Charles Darrow.
The Nightjar, Aylesbeare (£385,000)
The Nightjar was built in 2017 and is currently operated by a leaseholder – but the lease is set to end next year, and the building is on the market.
The Charles Darrow brochure says: “Our clients are property developers and completed the adjacent (in part adjoining) development and then leased the pub.
“Given they are not hospitality operators, they have never been involved in the trading entity and purely held on to the property as a commercial investment.
“Now (they are) looking to retire and reduce their investment holding, the Nightjar is available for the first time in many years and, whilst the lease is coming to an end in June 2024, we see no reason why the property could not be successfully let again or, perhaps vacant possession could be gained when the lease comes to an end.”
The brochure also says the property has been “successfully let for the past five years and is still presented in excellent order throughout”.
In brief, it comprises a main lounge bar, a first-floor restaurant, a fully fitted commercial kitchen and owners' accommodation with two double-bedrooms.
Outside, there is a customer car park with 12-plus spaces and an enclosed patio area.
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