High quality licensed seafront cafe bought by local chef who trained under one of Britain’s top chefs
One of Sidmouth’s best known licensed cafes, Fort Cafe, has been bought by experienced local chef Matthew Weaver, who trained under top chef and TV personality Phil Vickery at The Castle Hotel in Taunton.
Matthew has been a chef in Sidmouth for the past 11 years, previously as the executive chef at Sidmouth’s Riviera Hotel. He has also gained experience from catering in France and has 21 years catering in total under his belt. Matthew has a real love and passion for cooking and had been looking for quite a while to run his own business.
Whilst various businesses came and went in the town it was not until the Fort Cafe came on the market through licensed property specialists, Stonesmith of Exeter, that Matthew realised that this was the ideal business for him as it offered so much potential and was in a most amazing location.
Having taken over at the height of the season it has been very much in at the deep end. Whilst not changing the style of trading a lot, Mathew’s menu now includes home cooked food.
Matthew’s plans for the future may include evening themed events and private parties, and in December he plans to close the cafe to revamp and upgrade the facilities. This includes freshening up the decor, updating the signage and upgrading the customer welfare facilities.
Forte Cafe is a well regarded and well established licensed cafe in an exceptional trading position on Sidmouth’s seafront. The business trades from breakfast to afternoon tea with hot and cold beverages, lunches, light bites and cream teas with a takeaway service and ice cream kiosk.
This stunning beach front property briefly comprises a main cafe area for 56, attractive outside trade patio for 52, an ice-cream kiosk, beach goods area and a commercial catering kitchen.
Mike Phillips, Director of selling agents Stonesmith of Exeter says “After significant interest from a number of parties, a deal was agreed and concluded swiftly to enable Matthew to benefit from the trade of a busy summer season. We wish Matthew every possible success with this new venture”.
A leasehold business, Stonesmith sold Fort Cafe off an asking price of £125,000. Details on similar properties for sale can be viewed on their website www.stonesmith.co.uk and information on professional services or selling a business can be obtained by calling 01392 201262
