Stonesmith - The Latest News from Stonesmith http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php The Honiton Motel in the East Devon Market town of Honiton was purpose built in 1972. For the past 9 years it has been let but has now been sold on a new free of tie lease through licensed property specialists Stonesmith of Exeter. Situated in a prime position on one of the main routes into Honiton, and brown signed from the nearby A30, The Honiton Motel trades as a fully licensed motel with a function suite, restaurant, cafe and takeaway. The motel has a good bar and restaurant trade and the function suite/ballroom is popular for wedding receptions, christenings and private parties, it is also widely used for conferences, meetings, trade exhibitions, functions and dinner dances. Below at lower ground floor level, and adjoining a petrol station, is the Clover Leaf cafe. The cafe was created a few years ago and provides a takeaway menu. The bar, restaurant and function accommodation provide at ground floor an entrance to the reception area, a lounge bar with c.40 covers, the Black Swan restaurant with c.26 covers, a function suite licensed for 400 with a stage, dance floor and bar area, a store and a catering kitchen. At lower ground floor there is an en-suite staff bedroom, store and cellar, the Clover Leaf cafe with c. 50 covers including a take away counter and waiting area, kitchen, stores, a staff room and shower room. The letting accommodation is situated in a separate block adjoining the car park and provides 13 comfortable en-suite rooms. Externally, and to the front of the Motel, there is a trade terrace with access from the lounge bar, there area also various grassed areas and a good sized car park, which is shared with the filling station and provides c.50 spaces. The new free of tie leasehold property was recently been sold by Stonesmith off an asking price of £75,000. http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=29 http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=29 Having been virtually destroyed by a fire in 2004, The White Hart at Wilmington in East Devon has been fully rebuilt and restored to a high standard and now trades as a popular classic roadside pub and restaurant, with 4 star letting rooms. A leasehold business it is now for sale through licensed property specialists Stonesmith of Exeter. The White Hart is in a prime position and set among the rolling hills of East Devon. It benefits from local and passing trade along with visitors from nearby villages. The present owner took over the business after the fire and has put the pub back on the map. She has built up a growing reputation for food, ranging from bar snacks and specials boards to a full al la carte menu, the turnover being split 60/40 in favour of food sales. With a good local following The White Hart runs 3 winter skittles teams and boasts a good all year round trade, which is seasonally enhanced in the summer months. The pub also offers en-suite B&B accommodation, at £65 per night, and the rooms have been awarded 4 stars by the English Tourist Board. A substantial 2 storey property, it has a first floor skittle alley, 3 bedroomed owners flat, a former stable block which has been converted into letting accommodation and extensive grounds. The main trade areas offer an open plan bar/restaurant with character features providing approximately 42 covers. There is also an a adjoining “reading room” with a feature fireplace and a further 12 covers, although it has the potential for more. To the rear of the trade areas is the well equipped and modern catering kitchen and on the first floor a skittle alley and adjacent cellar. The private accommodation is laid out as an office, lounge, kitchen, shower room and 3 bedrooms. Outside the former stable block provides 3 stylishly furnished en-suite letting rooms. Set on a large site the property provides parking for 25 plus cars and has an adjoining area that would be suitable as an enclosed children’s play zone. There are well arranged trade gardens with picnic benches and a rear enclosed private garden. The property also benefits from having scope to expand. The White Hart has been run by a single working proprietor (with 2 young children) and a bank of staff. The pub would be more suited to a husband and wife team which would also result in cost savings. The White Heart still offers scope for growth particularly on the food and letting side and would benefit from active marketing and promotion. The leasehold interest was sold in December 2008 off an asking price of £125,000. http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=19 http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=19 Green King has recently disposed of one of their well known Hotels, The Dartmoor Lodge. Situated at Ashburton, Devon it is close to the Dartmoor National Park and provides en-suite accommodation, home cooked food, a good selection of real ales and function and conference facilities. The business was acquired by licensed property specialists Stonesmith in an “off market transaction” on behalf of retained clients Trevor and Di Crouchen. Trevor and Di are highly experienced operators and have moved to the area with their children. Previously they ran the Manor at North Perrot and before that were general managers at the Great Western Hotel in Exeter, both of which were sold by Stonesmith. Trevor and Di have already started to make their mark by bringing operations up to their high standards. Externally they are totally redecorating and will be constructing a new patio seating area. In the meantime they are improving the gardens and plan to landscape them next year. Internally they have redecorated the function and conference rooms, providing up to date facilities for private and business parties, meetings, weddings, christenings, etc along with full conference and exhibition services. With the web site www.dartmoorlodge.co.uk up and running, Trevor and Di hope to promote all of the facilities at the lodge including the bar, restaurant and letting accommodation. Whilst the business has a good level of repeat and hotel trade Trevor and Di are keen to re-establish some of the local and neighbouring trade. Trevor and Di have retained the hotels chef, who has 14 years experience at The Dartmoor Lodge. Having previously worked within the restrains of a pub company she is excited by the challenge of developing new menus. Already they have introduced traditional and seasonal English menus with fresh, home cooked food. They have sourced their produce locally including a local butcher whose meat is from a family farm close by. The day starts with breakfast from 7.30am and leads on to a lunchtime and evening menu, with snacks available throughout the afternoon. Whilst they have continued the traditional Sunday roast Trevor and Di will be re-introducing the popular Sunday carvery. They also plan to introduce wine evenings and themed nights and are already taking bookings for Christmas lunches and dinners. To complement the meals there is a new selection of fine wines to suit every pallet, but one of Trevor’s passions is Real Ales. Over the years he has been recognised for his high standard of Real Ales. He has accolades in the past from CAMRA and is already being supported by South Devon CAMRA for his present 4 Real Ales. The letting accommodation is all en-suite and in time, will be totally upgraded. Presently Trevor and Di are converting some of the letting rooms into private accommodation whilst still retaining some staff accommodation. They now have 22 rooms ranging from the usual singles, doubles and twins, to family and four poster rooms, enabling them to offer various packages to suit every need.. Stonesmith report “The sale of this freehold business was a confidential off market transaction, sold for a substantial undisclosed sum. This is one of several confidential sales concluded by us in the last couple of months and is further proof that the South West leisure market is not all doom and gloom”. http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=28 http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=28 If you're a regular visitor to the Stonesmith website then you've probably already noticed our new website. The main objective with the new website is to enable end users to be able to access property information with ease. Within just one 'click' users are now able to view our property listings, which we believe is the key for a property based website. We opted against providing all the 'bells and whistles' and instead chose to focus on the all important quick and easy route to access property information. We hope you enjoy the new website experience and welcome any feedback you wish to provide. http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=17 http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=17 Fishponds Country House Hotel is one of East Devon’s hidden gems. Nestling in a tranquil countryside setting, close to the village of Dunkeswell, Nr Honiton, the hotel is well established and is renowned as a popular venue for weddings and conferences. Acting on behalf of the owners Janet Cole and Mick Hartley, the business has recently been sold to a local businessman by Mike Phillips of licensed and leisure property specialists Stonesmith of Exeter. The Hotel will run under the management and guidance of “Bespoke Hotels” www.bespokehotels.com who were introduced to the purchaser by Stonesmith. Bespoke Hotels are an established hotel company with tremendous experience in owning and running hotels throughout the UK and they have appointed experience chef Martin Barrett to manage the hotel. Fishponds House occupies a truly magical setting within 45 acres of its own undisturbed parkland incorporating 4 lakes. Steeped in history, part of the property dates back to 1201 when it was originally a cottage to the lake keeper who supplied the Monks at Dunkeswell Abbey with fish. The new owners plan to run the business along the same lines as their predecessors, providing specialist wedding packages, private parties, family events and business meeting facilities. Weddings and wedding receptions are particularly popular at Fishponds as the property is licensed for civil wedding ceremonies. The property is enhanced by a permanent marquee which seats up to 150 guests. The hotel complex includes a traditional bar with a lounge and adjoining reception area, 2 restaurants, 15 en suite letting bedrooms and four self catering cottages. There is also a campsite area overlooking one of the lakes. Stonesmith were instructed to sell Fishponds House Country Hotel on a confidential off market basis with offers invited in excess of £1,650,000. Stonesmith were able to introduce a known local buyer to the business and the sale was agreed within 48 hours of being instructed. There is still demand for good quality, well located hotels throughout the South West and for confidential up to date advice on the hotel market please contact Mike Phillips at Stonesmith. http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=27 http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=27 On the instruction from Heavitree Brewery PLC, licensed property specialists Stonesmith of Exeter have been asked to sell the freehold of The New Inn at Sampford Courtenay Nr Okehampton, Devon. The New Inn currently operates as a managed house trading seven days a week from 11:30am-12:00pm. The pub offers a range of keg and cask ales and has an extensive food menu, with a popular Sunday roast. The opportunity lies with hands on owners to further develop the business, particularly as a food-led destination house. The pub is situated in the rolling Mid-Devon hills and is unopposed in the village. Sampford Courtenay is a picturesque Mid Devon village with a church, village hall and post office. It is 5 miles from Okehampton (on the fringes of Dartmoor), 25 miles from Exeter and 30 miles from the North Cornish coast. A Grade II Listed property, believed to date back to the 16th Century, it is of cob, stone and thatch construction. The property is full of character and retains many of its original features, including exposed beams and open fireplaces. It has benefited from considerable expenditure over the past few years including new roofs, redecoration of the trade areas and upgrading of the catering kitchen and customer welfare facilities. The property provides at ground floor a main bar area with approximately 38 covers, a restaurant with approximately 32 covers, customer welfare facilities, a catering kitchen and a dry store. The first floor provides owner accommodation with an office, lounge, kitchen, 3 bedrooms and a bathroom. Outside the site extends to circa 1 acre and provides, an enclosed courtyard, trade gardens, including a large fenced garden with picnic benches and a large car park for approximately 28 cars. In addition there is a paddock of circa ¼ acre with the potential for extra parking, subject to statutory consent. Stonesmith are now looking for offers off an asking price of £650,000 for the freehold interest of The New Inn. http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=26 http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=26 Situated in the country village of Yeoford, Nr Crediton, The Mare and Foal Inn has recently been bought by experienced licensee Mr Trevor Sawtell who has moved to Devon from the Isle of Wight with his partner Jayne Kelly. The business was sold for the previous owners by Stonesmith of Exeter. Trevor and Jayne plan to restore the Mare and Foal into a traditional village pub which is well supported by the locals and visited by the neighbouring villagers and townsfolk. They are also looking to encourage local groups including field sports groups, who in the past have used the pub. With the locals in mind, Trevor and Jayne want to re-introduce skittles, pool and darts teams at the Mare and Foal and plan in the future to provide occasional entertainment. They are also keen to cater for private functions and small parties. One of the main focuses at present is the food. Trevor and Jayne have bought in experienced chef, Mark Segar, and introduced a new traditional pub menu. As well as this they are continuing to provide a takeaway menu, which is especially popular with the locals. They also hope to start work on improving the property including a new roof, and redecoration and refurbishment of the trade areas. The Mare and Foal Inn is a substantial detached property nestling in the Mid-Devon village of Yeoford, Nr Crediton. The accommodation is spread over 3 floors with the trade areas on the ground floor providing a bar with a snug, and a dining area with 40 covers, suitable for private functions. There is also a pool room and a skittles alley along with catering kitchens and back-up facilities. The first and second floors provide private accommodation with 5 bedrooms, a lounge, kitchen and bathrooms. Outside there are well maintained and beautiful landscaped trade gardens with seating for approximately 48. Trevor and Jayne are soon going to transform some of the garden into a children’s’ play area. The pub also has a large car park, 2 garages, lock-up stores and a barn. In the long term it’s hoped to convert the 2 garages into accommodation. A freehold business Stonesmith sold the Mare and Foal off an asking price of £520,000. http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=25 http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=25 Situated in the centre of the attractive country village of Fitzhead, in the Vale of Taunton Dean in Somerset, is the historic Fitzhead Inn. 7 miles from the county town of Taunton it is also an ideal base to explore the Exmoor National Park and North Somerset Coast. A family run freehouse with restaurant and letting rooms, the Fitzhead is now for sale through licensed property specialists Stonesmith of Exeter. The Inn trades 7 days a week, operating evenings only from Monday to Saturday and lunchtime on Sundays. It offers a good range of cask and keg beers along with bar and restaurant menus, which include daily specials and a Sunday roast. Run by husband and wife proprietors, with their son running the kitchens, the owners have managed to keep staff wages to a minimum. The potential lies in longer opening hours and increased room occupancy, which may require further marketing and promotion. A deceptively spacious property, it comprises two large, 2 storey, properties arranged around a central courtyard. The buildings are originally thought to date back to 1700’s and while retaining much of the character and original features, the property has been extensively refurbished throughout, including the conversion of the former skittle alley into 6 top quality letting rooms. The ground floor open plan bar/restaurant has a feature fireplace, beamed ceilings and part panelled walls, with c.40 covers and access to the catering kitchens. Below ground there is a cellar/beer store. Private accommodation is on the first floor and provides a lounge and 2 en-suite bedrooms. The en-suite letting accommodation is to an exceptionally high standard and has an AA 4* accreditation. It is split over 2 floors with 4 bedrooms and a laundry on the ground floor and 2 rooms and a store room on the first floor. Outside there are partially enclosed and open courtyards with picnic benches and a raised terrace. There is also a covered smoking area. A freehold business Stonesmith are looking for offers off a substantially reduced asking price of £395,000. http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=24 http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=24 Having built up a successful reputation and trade at The Merry Harriers at Westcott, Nr Cullompton, Annabel and Simon McCabe have recently sold the freehold pub in a confidential, off market deal. The sale was agreed by licensed property specialist Stonesmith of Exeter, within 7 days of instructions being received. The new owners are experienced operators Lynn and John Bowen who aim to maintain and build upon the excellent reputation The Merry Harriers has as a traditional country freehouse. While John is in charge of front of house Lynn will be looking after the catering. She describes the cuisine as “traditional Devonshire dining” with freshly prepared food, using fresh locally sourced and seasonal produce. To complement the food John has introduced is a good selection of wines along with a range of local ales. Looking ahead to the future they plan to introduce themed events and special lunchtime offers. They are also keen to develop the function trade as the skittle alley is ideal for small parties and private events. Whilst The Merry Harriers is a well known destination inn it is also strongly supported by the locals, who John and Lynn are looking forward to meeting. They are also keen to carry on supporting the skittles teams. A substantial semi detached property, The Merry Harriers is set in a small hamlet on the B3181 Exeter to Cullompton road, close to the M5 at Cullompton. John and Lynn saw the potential with the business as it attracts people from a wide area and is an ideal stopping point for tourists and business people. The property offers a 24 cover bar, 28 cover dining room, skittle alley/function room with 25 plus covers, catering kitchen, stores and a cellar. The first floor is laid out as private accommodation providing 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen, dining area, lounge and office. Outside there are 2 trade gardens, a small paddock and a large car park for 25 cars. “The freehold sale of The Merry Harriers follows the confidential off market freehold sales of Fishponds House Country Hotel Nr Honiton, off an asking price of £1,650,000, the Blacksmiths Arms at Plymtree, off an asking price of £560,000, and the Old Inn at Hawkchurch Nr Axminster, off an asking price of £545,000. These sales show that, while the market is not as buoyant as it was in 2007, sales are still completing and correctly priced licensed businesses that are well presented continue to generate interest. Good quality country and roadside freeholds remain popular with private operators like John and Lynn Bowen, who are continuing to invest in the right opportunities”, reports Mike Phillips of Stonesmith. http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=23 http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=23 Situated in the heart of the market town of Tiverton, The Angel Guest House is a well established B& B establishment benefiting from good sized owners accommodation. The business is now for sale through licensed and leisure property specialists Stonesmith of Exeter. The Angel is run solely on a Bed and Breakfast basis, and by choice no evening meals are provided. The quality and standards throughout have resulted in good occupancy levels and repeat business, and due to it location in the town centre the guest house also benefits from passing trade. Being in a prime location the business attracts both the commercial and tourist trade, and with a lack of letting accommodation in Tiverton it is always in demand. The guest house also has its own web site www.angelguesthouse.co.uk which is linked to a number of specialist booking agents and local accommodation bureaus. A deceptively spacious three storey terraced property it dates back to 1700’s. While the property has undergone a comprehensive program of improvement many of the original Georgian features have been retained and the property is presented in good order throughout, along with quality furnishings and fittings. The accommodation provides 7 well appointed letting rooms (some en-suite) sleeping a maximum of 16 guests, a residents dining room, fully equipped kitchen and a utility/laundry room. The spacious owner’s accommodation provides 3 double bedrooms, a bathroom, lounge and dining room. The Angel Guest House has been run as a lifestyle business to fit in with family living and has been traded up to the VAT threshold. Therefore an opportunity exists to increase the trading levels by offering evening meals, Increasing the tariff and expanding the marketing and advertising. Altogether the Angel provides an excellent opportunity for first time buyers looking to enter the hospitality trade. Stonesmith are looking for offers off a new reduced asking price of £375,000 for the freehold business and can be contacted on (01392) 201262. http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=22 http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=22 For the past 6 years Cohiba in Exeter has traded as a successful tapas bar and restaurant appealing to the business community, locals and visitors. The restaurant has recently been sold by licensed property specialists Stonesmith of Exeter for restaurateur Edmond Devari, who is concentrating on his business ventures in Plymouth. The new owner is local businessman John Barber. John will be overseeing the running of Cohiba with the help of an assistant manager and new head chef. The restaurant will retain its Mediterranean theme with a choice of a tapas and seasonally themed menus, using fresh seasonal produce. To compliment the meals he has introduced a new wine menu. The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere and a strong repeat trade which John is hoping to expand on, attracting the corporate fraternity from the nearby Southernhay commercial centre as well as locals and tourists. He has an active advertising and marketing campaign starting and is introducing a new web site www.restaurantexeter-cohiba.co.uk. Presently the business is open all day Friday, Saturday and Sundays with lunchtime and evenings throughout the rest of the week. With the rise in trade John hopes to increase the opening hours to meet the demand. Cohiba is situated in a prime roadside position, with an eye catching frontage, in the heart of The City of Exeter and within walking distance of the Cathedral and commercial centre. The restaurant is on the ground floor and provides a well proportioned trade area with 60 covers and is furnished and decorated with a contemporary style. Stonesmith sold the leasehold business off an asking price of £90,000. http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=20 http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=20 Overlooking Exmouth Marina and the Exe Estuary, Olivants café/bar/restaurant has recently been sold and has been re-branded as “The Point”. Sold by licensed property specialists Stonesmith of Exeter, on behalf of Anne Olivant, the new owner is Nick Hunt. Nick is returning to the West Country and brings along a wealth of knowledge and experience in the licensed trade, having been in sales and marketing in the drinks industry for the past 18 years. Now trading as The Point, Nick is transforming the property from a café/bar/ restaurant into a bar/grill. The Point will be open daily and offer hot beverages, all-day breakfast and light bites with a more substantial menu in the evening. His aim is to use local produce and to offer simple cooked meals. Nick has said that one of the major improvements will be refurbishing and redecorating the trade areas, providing a more relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The property is positioned adjacent to The Marina entrance in Exmouth and benefits from the up-market Marina development which soon to be completed will accommodate around 250 houses and apartments. Originally built in 2005 the property incorporates 3 ground floor units combined as a single licensed operation. Internally it provides approximately 82 covers with a further 54 plus covers outside. Stonesmith sold Olivants off an asking price of £595,000, please contact us for further information on properties for sale or in confidence if you are considering selling. http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=18 http://www.stonesmith.co.uk//news.php?n=18