French Horn
Church End, Steppingley, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 5AU
A FINE VILLAGE PUB, OFFERING FABULOUS FOOD AND A STRONG REPUTATION
The French Horn is a great Village pub in the Bedfordshire village of Steppingley. The pub is famous locally for its mixture of French cuisine and British pub classics as well as playing an active part in its local community. The site operates with a sales mix of 40/60 in favour of food and there is also demand from local residents to drink in the bar. Your success with food will be key here, as well as engaging with those locals in the bar. There is plenty of competition in the local area, so getting the offer right, clever marketing and great standards of service will be important if you are to stand out from the crowd. Internally the pub is well presented and offers charm and character, as well as a warm welcome. There is a formal dining room, as well as two bar areas. The rear garden is lovely but could be further utilised during the summer months to drive sales.
Garden
Kitchen
Patio
Location
Steppingley is a rural village and civil parish in Bedfordshire. It is located close to the nearby towns of Ampthill, Flitwick and Woburn, Bedfordshire. Much of the surrounding land is part of either Beckerings Park, or the Woburn Estate. The Duke of Bedford influence can be seen in the characteristic style of the numerous workers cottages throughout the village. Steppingley is a sought after village to live in, with a strong and active sense of community and schools nearby. The French Horn is located on the north western edge of the village, with residential housing close by, as well as the village green/Cricket pitch/park
Business Information
Annual rent
£49,000
Weekly rent
£942
Entry costs
£55,125
Turnover royalty
n/a
Forecasted Operator Turnover
£531,007
Forecasted Operator Profit (inc machine profit)
£47,507
Forecasted Operator Machine Profit
£0
Average Beer & Cider Discount*
£36
Type of Tie
Partial tie: Tied All Beer, All Cider, Minerals & Spirits
Agreement
Standard Tenancy Agreement A fixed 5 year term
Entry costs approximately £55,125.00, which includes stock, glassware, crockery, cutlery, fuel and cleaning materials, legal, brokers and stocktaking fees, training fees, schedule of condition, working capital and deposit which is 25% of head rent. Fixtures and Fittings are valued at approximately £30,000 and the final valuation will be confirmed on change day. An assisted purchase of F&F may be available with a 25% deposit on change day and weekly re payments to purchase the remaining 75% over an agreed period
Deposit
£12,250
Fixtures & Fittings
£30,000
Legal Admin Fee
£825
Broker Fee
£750
Stocktaking Fee
£150
Working Capital
£10,000
Other Costs
£1,150
Total Entry Costs
£55,125
You will need to estimate the turnover you expect to achieve from the pub, with regard to food and accommodation (if applicable). Barrelage figures are given to assist you with calculations. **Please note trading volumes for year 19/20 are for part year trading and reflect the impact of closure during the Covid 19 pandemic**
Year | Beer (Brls) | Wine & Spirits (Ltrs) | Minerals (Ltrs) |
---|---|---|---|
2019/20 | 116 | 225 | 4,596 |
2018/19 | 140 | 131 | 4,968 |
2017/18 | 147 | 218 | 6,433 |
The trade space is split across three rooms and is packed with character, from the traditional mix of old dining tables and chairs to more comfortable sofas and a relaxed lounge area. There is a small snug bar to the left as you enter the pub, which is predominately used by the local drinkers. There is a main bar area, which offers some food covers and a large fire place with log burner. Finally, there is a dining room, offering formal dining and a comfortable enviroment. Externally there is a really lovely rear garden and parking to the front for sixteen vehicles.
Trade Bars
Yes
Trade Dining Areas
Yes
Trade Kitchens
Yes
Trade Food Covers
72
Trade Gardens
Yes
Trade Patio Areas
Yes
Trade Rooms to Let
0
Meeting Rooms
No
External Child Play Areas
No
Function Rooms
No
Customer Car Park Spaces
16
Current Premises License Opening Hours
Mon-Sat: 11:00-01:30
Sun: 11:00-00:30
Located across the first floor, the accommodation consists of three bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and office and is generally in good condition.
Private Rooms
6
Lounge
No
Dining Rooms
0
Double Bedrooms
2
Single Bedrooms
1
Bathrooms
1
Toilets
0
Private Kitchens
1
Offices
1
Bedsits
0

I am seeking an experienced operator, who really knows how to deliver a premium food brand, focusing on quality, fresh produce. The French Horn is a pub serious about food and is a real destination for diners from the local area and the wider county of Bedfordshire. The pub is close to the Centre Parcs resort at Woburn so clever marketing to reach holiday makers and those looking for a great experience in a great Village pub could hold the key to your success. For further information, please contact the recruitment team.
Phil Venables, Business Development Manager
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