Glenelg Village Shop, Glenelg, Kyle of Lochalsh, IV40 8JR

Glenelg Village Shop, Glenelg, Kyle of Lochalsh, IV40 8JR

A busy and popular licensed store (CategoryB listed) setwithin the charming community of Glenelg.

An easy-to-operate businesswith consistent turnover (c£300,000) and sound profitability.

A compact well-maintained property with c44m2presented to a good standard.

Sound service support areas to include amplestorage, staff roomand office,

Spacious owner’s accommodation comprising of 3 double bedrooms, large lounge, spacious kitchen. dining sunroom, office area and family bathroom.

Superb garden grounds to the rear of the subjects with ample storage units.

Offers Over £275,000 (Freehold)

DESCRIPTION

The Glenelg village shop is athriving licensed convenience store situated in an idyllic and populartrading location. The business is well-established and original aspects of the building date from the early 1700s with various extensions over the centuries. The property has a charmingfrontage and has a strong history, being used as military quarters in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden. Due to its historic standing the building is listed CategoryB. Internally the shop is arranged at ground level enjoying a compact retail floor space with a separate area for the Post Office elements, extending to around 44m2. The shop benefits from refrigerated units, freezer display cabinets and free-standing wall and centre aisles units. A spacious sales check-out counter is located close to the entrance providing an ideal focal point for customer service and security. Spacious and flexible stock storage is located adjacent to the store. Parking is situated to the front of the shop by unrestricted on-road parking.

An attractive feature of this sale is the characterful family accommodation set on the ground and first floors. The house includes 3 double bedrooms and flexible living accommodation including dining room, lounge, sunroom, family bathroom, large kitchen etc. making this an appealing family home. This accommodation benefits from an enclosed garden to the rear providing ample amenity space.

BUSINESS OPERATION

The business caters to a solid year-round demand from local residents with an influx of tourist trade during the spring and summer months. Turnover averages around £300,000 for the past three years generating the potential for strong profitability. Currently the vendor operates as a sole trader, employing a number of staff with profitability standing at circa £30,000; this could be higher within a different trading model, such as a partnership etc.Income is driven through traditional grocery and news agency sales which include a wide range of merchandise in this popular, exceptionally well-operated store. Items available for sale include chilled and frozen goods, fresh produce, newspapers, bakery lines, soft and alcoholic drinks, tobacco, general household items and confectionery without being exhaustive. The store is a life-line to the local community and to the many visitors to the area meeting their daily needs; this is reflected in the consistently high sales. The current owner delivers orders to local settlements and lodges by arrangement.

The business currently operates six days per week closing Sunday through choice,however there is potential to extend opening hours should new owners wish to increase trade; there is certainly demand for such.There is no doubt that new proprietors wishing to take on a hands-on role could continue to build on successes to date and in turn drive higher turnover and profitability on an annual basis.

TRADING LOCATION

The village of Glenelg is one of the most attractive coastal villages on the western coast, this sparsely populated area has an influx of visitors during the tourist season (April – October) eager to holiday in the region taking advantage of the many stunning beaches and sheltered coves in the area. Nearby is Sandaig where Gavin Maxwell wrote his classic story of Edal the otter, in Ring of Bright Water. Many tourists just enjoy taking the privately operated ferry across to Skye which until 200 years ago was the main crossing point to the island. The narrow strait has fierce currents but these make an ideal playground for numerous seals andotters which can be easily observed. The area around Glenelg is a walker's paradise; there is the Five Sisters and for the ambitious the Cluanie Ridge, which takes in no fewer than seven Munros in one challenging hike. Alternatively, many keep a boat moored in the bay at Glenelg and use it to explore the exciting shoreline. With great diving, sailing and kayaking opportunities, Glenelg is a haven for the intrepid water-sports enthusiast.The village has an excellent primary school, village hall and medical centre. The popular Glenelg Inn which is a magnet for locals and visitors throughout the year offers a cosy and welcoming atmosphere and lively music nights. Kyle of Lochalsh is about 25 miles away where there is a full range of shops and a supermarket.

REASON FOR SALE

The vendor has traded the business since February 2006, it is a change of personal circumstances and his wish to retire from the retail trade that brings this appealing business to the market.

THE PROPERTY

The original property is of stone construction under a pitched slate roof with modern extensions to the rear. Dating from the early 1700s, the building is Category B listed. A mid-terrace property, all trading accommodation is set to ground level with living accommodation situated on the ground and first floors. The property benefits from excellent garden grounds and spacious external storage.

TRADING & SERVICE AREAS

From a visible roadside location, the premises have a well-signed frontage and easy access. The sales area is well-maintained throughout offering a good range of display units and fixtures / fittings. The vinyl flooring and modern effective lighting makes the sales area bright and appealing. The servery counter is setby the main entrance providing sensible security coverage of the sales area. Perimeter and island shelving with free standing units offer the ability to display a wide variety of grocery items etc. The store has a good selection of chilled / freezer display cabinets. To the rear of the shop is a post office sales area. Also to the rear of the subjects is a store room and staff area. To the side of the shop is further spacious storage rooms for general stock, chilled and frozen items.

OWNERS ACCOMMODATION

The owner’s accommodation is situated partially to the rear and side of the shop and is set over two floors. An appealing feature of the building is the front private entrance to the owner’saccommodation;however, access can also be gained via the shop and from the rear. A vestibule from the front door leads to the spacious dining room. With planning this could be adapted to increase the trading aspects of the business elements. Through a door is the spacious galley type kitchen with 5-ring rangemaster cooking and ample floor and wall mounted storage units. Though a door leading to the rear aspects is a sun-room which has been used as a family area, work area and dining room in the past. This lovely room offersattractive views over the garden to the hills beyond. Off the sunroom is an office / cloakroom area which provides access via a rear door to the garden. A further door leads to the main hallway which has doors to the kitchen and shop plus stairs leading to the first floor. Off the first floor landing is a family bathroom fitted to include a wash-hand basin, W.C. and bath with shower unit over. Also off the hallway is a separate toilet and further along astorage unit. An attractive feature of the owner’s accommodation is the spacious lounge and feature fire place. The lounge provides ample family space with a door leading to a double bedroom. Off the hallway are two further double bedrooms; one has a dressing / nursery area. The accommodation is in generally good condition throughout but new owners will wish to redecorate.

EXTERNAL AREAS

The business has a prominent roadside frontage with signage. Unrestricted roadside parking provides for customer needs. To the side of the property is a driveway that leads to storage areas including gas bottle storage compound. The garden grounds can be accessed from the rear which are set to mainly grass making this an ideal family home.

SERVICES

The property benefits from mains electricity, water and drainage. There is LPG gas for cooking. The house has electric heaters with two fire places in the lounge and one of the bedrooms.