If you are looking for pubs to let in Essex, you could run The Anchor Inn !
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Pubs To Let In Essex – Run The Anchor Inn !
Rarely does a pub like the Anchor hit the market – it’s been in the same family for over 35 years and is decorated to a very high standard both inside and out. It’s only due to personal circumstances that this site has come to the market and we ask that anyone wishing to visit this site does so as a customer in the first instance.
The Anchor is located in Benfleet on a busy intersection in the town centre, directly opposite the
church and within walking distance of the train station which is heavily used for commuters travelling into London. In the summer the site really springs to life with flowers galore from the hanging baskets which really makes the pub stand out.
Benfleet is a very affluent town in Essex and whilst there is competition, there’s plenty of trade
to go around.
The Anchor has a prominent position in the town, both opposite the local church and within walking distance of the mainline train station which has direct services to London. There is a huge level of passing trade, as the Anchor sits on the main route between the town and the
station, and the main route to and from the town of Benfleet.
The Anchor is a grade 2 listed building dating back to as early as 1380. Internally and externally, it was refurbished just a year ago and has a rustic feel to it.
The large bar is popular with drinkers of a lunchtime, the high vis brigade late afternoon and with locals of an evening. There are plenty of TV screens around the bar to allow customers to enjoy sport, which is very popular.
There is a separate restaurant/dining area, again decorated to a high standard and this seats
circa 40 people. The pub has a good-sized catering kitchen which services both the restaurant
and the function room.
The court-yard garden is a massive sun trap and has seating for circa 50 people, including
some booth seating. The current Pub Partners are keen gardeners and is well appointed.
Off the garden, the pub has a function room (named the Moorings). This is a popular venue for
gatherings of all sorts, including wakes, birthday and anniversary parties and the occasional
wedding. The function room is takes 100 people, and generally has at least one event booked a
week. Being opposite the church, with good parking it is the destination of choice for wakes and
christenings.
A pub of this size couldn’t operate without a car park and this site has parking for circa 30 cars.
It is currently managed by a parking solution, primarily due to historically people using the pub
car park to do their shopping in town or avoiding station car park charges. The pub is that busy
that the car park is needed all day every day.
The Anchor has everything you’d want from a pub. There is a large bar with plenty of low-level
seating, alongside vertical drinking. In addition, there is a restaurant which is serviced by a well-
equipped catering kitchen. Outside there is beautiful secure court-yard beer garden which
connects the main pub to the function room.
The pub also benefits from a staff parking area, alongside a large car park (which is currently
managed by a parking management company).
Trading Style:
The Anchor really does suit everyone – it’s fair to say it’s both a destination outlet as well as
being a community pub.
It is extremely popular with the “grey-market” especially of a lunchtime, when not only does the
restaurant fill up, but there’s a good lunchtime drinking trade too.
Once the doors of this site opens, the pub never stops – as mentioned, there’s a steady bar
trade all day, which gets particularly busy as the local tradesmen knock off for the day. The pub
is especially busy when sport is on, and coupled with the occasional entertainment weekly
quizzes and other events, it’s never quiet.
The seasons never really affect this site either – during the winter it’s a cosy place to enjoy a
pint of real ale and have a meal with the family, whereas when the summer arrives, the garden
is the place to be lapping up cocktails and soaking up the rays.
There’s a really good food trade at the pub, both with lunchtime meal deals (which are very
popular) through to a good old steak. Getting a table on a Sunday is often difficult as it’s a very
popular destination for a Sunday Roast.
As mentioned, the Moorings (function room) also adds to the offering at this site and whilst the Moorings is already well used, there’s the potential to increase trade in this area, through community engagement including things like hosting local community groups etc. during the day
and evening.
The living accommodation is amazing – there are three goodsized bedrooms, a large lounge, bathroom and domestic kitchen. The accommodation is decorated to a very high standard.
In addition, there is a one-bedroom cottage attached to the building, although some work is required to bring it to Fire Regulation standards – something which can be discussed on interview.
Length of Tenure: 5- year tenancy (although a ten-year lease would be considered)
Agreement type: Tenancy/Lease
Rent: £45,500
Ingoings: F&F is to be valued, but believed to be circa £20k. Deposit will be £10k. You will also need some working capital.
Ideally we are looking for an experience couple who know how to run a high-end community
pub. We need someone who can maintain the existing trade and build on it further, especially regarding the function room.
There is a full team at the Anchor and who know the pub and customers really well and they will be an asset to anyone taking this site. TUPEE details will be provided when selection is made.
This is likely to be a highly sought after site, so please be prepared to go through a selection process based on demonstrating your previous successes and having a strong business plan to
hand.
