Regional focus on...Kent
Population (and density): 1,832,300 (1,300 per square mile)
Largest towns and cities: Maidstone, Dover, Ashford, Ebbsfleet, Tunbridge Wells, Margate, Sevenoaks, Dartford, Tonbridge, Folkestone, Canterbury
What the experts say: Kent is a county with a rich pub heritage and an exciting future – it really is an exceptional place to run
a pub. With the arrival of HS1 and other significant transport investments, the visitor economy has sky-rocketed. People come from all over the UK and beyond for breaks and to experience the beauty of the east Kent coast. Pubs that do well tend to offer high-quality food and drink of local provenance.
“Unlike other counties, Kent is not dominated by one major city. Yes, Canterbury is a significant global heritage site, but the beauty of the region is in the many pretty villages and market towns, such as Deal, Sandwich, Cranbrook or West Malling, which offer would-be pub owners the chance to invest in some of the UK’s best heritage pub stock.
“The infrastructure investment has also seen economic regeneration and correspondingly an increase in the volume of house building. New communities are springing up, most notably along the HS1 route into London, which includes locations like Ashford and Ebbsfleet. These communities have affluent new arrivals who want accessible, high-quality pubs. Pub operators have a chance to invest in new-build sites that provide first-class experiences.” Jonathan Neame, chief executive, Shepherd Neame
Done deals
The Carpenters Arms, Newbigg, Doncaster, Lincolnshire
Price: £375,000
Tenure: Freehold
Turnover: £170,000
Wet: dry split: 100:0
Agent: Davey Co 0333 200 8788
Currently deriving its trade entirely from wet sales alone, this substantial village freehouse offers potential for the development of a successful food trade in this well-served, thriving village near Doncaster on the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire borders. It has two superbly presented lounge bars and excellent outside trading facilities. The property also has potential for a number of letting bedrooms. An additional self-contained cottage is also included.
The Carriers Arms, Stockton, Wiltshire
Price: £28,000
Tenure: Private free-of-tie lease
Rent: £21,000
Turnover: circa £141,000 (inc VAT)
Wet: dry split: 90:10
Agent: Guy Simmonds
01332 865112
This inn is located is a sought-after village and civil parish, set in the Wylye Valley. The village lies eight miles south-east of Warminster, between Warminster and Salisbury. The pub has a lounge bar/dining area (circa 40 covers), public bar (c25c) and a beer garden and patio area (c50c). It has a catering kitchen, two-bedroom living accommodation and ground-floor cellar.
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