Business
Hilton Smythe is delighted to welcome to the market this well-established and busy cafe business, which is ideally located within the village of Middleton Cheney in Northamptonshire.

The business was originally established in 2013 and has been in our client’s careful ownership since 2015. Only now is the business being offered to the market, due to our client’s other business interests. The cafe currently operates 6 days per week and generates a turnover in the region of £126,000, with a gross profit of approximately 56%, as per the 2017 accounts.

Our client offers a variety of fayre including full English breakfasts, a continental breakfast, full lunch menu, a dessert menu, homemade cakes and snacks, as well as a selection of hot and cold beverages. The property boasts 95 sq. Metres of floor space, is very well maintained and decorated to a high standard. The cafe offers 26 covers and a commercial kitchen.

The business has built up an excellent reputation within the area for the very high quality of the food and service offered, which has resulted in a very loyal client base, with a high volume of repeat trade and word of mouth recommendations.

We feel there is scope to increase the turnover by extending the opening hours, perhaps by offering Sunday trading. A new owner could also embark on a modest marketing campaign to highlight the food and services offered. The cafe would also benefit from the launch of a website to promote the business. Social media websites, such as Facebook and Twitter, are also an excellent and free way to advertise the business.

This is an excellent opportunity for a new owner, perhaps a husband and wife team or partnership, to take this already popular business to the next level; therefore, early discussions with Hilton Smythe must come highly recommended to avoid disappointment.

Location
The Butlers Pantry occupies substantial ground floor premises, ideally located within the village of Middleton Cheney, near Banbury, close to the border of Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire. The property is situated within a small parade of complimentary shops and businesses on High Street and is surrounded by densely populated residential areas, from which the business derives much of its trade. The business further benefits from good off street parking facilities to the front of the premises.

Middleton Cheney is a quaint village and civil parish in Northamptonshire. According to the 2011 census, the village, which includes Thenford, had a residential population of 3,597. Middleton Cheney boasts a variety of shops, a primary school and a secondary school, which serves the local community and the surrounding area.

The area of the business is served by the public transport system, with a bus stop situated in front of the property. The nearest railway station is in Banbury, which is approximately 3½ miles away. The area is also well served by the road networks, with the A422 being just a short drive away, which links to the M40 and the national motorway network. Northampton is approximately 27 miles away and Oxford is 29 miles away.

Premises
Substantial ground floor premises in a prime trading location, briefly comprising:

Main cafe area with:

Wood effect flooring.
Tables and chairs for 26 covers.
Shelving units, displaying goods for sale.
Leather effect settees & chairs.
Coffee tables.
Cake display refrigerator.
Coca Cola branded drinks refrigerator (no hire cost).
Greeting card carousel.
Serve over counter with electronic cash register.
Ladies and gents’ WCs.

Preparation area with:

2 prep fridges
1 chest freezer
1 toastie machine
1 small oven (baguettes, pizzas)
Coffee Machine
Small Urn
Coffee Grinder
Milkshake Machine
Cheese Grater
Till/Note scanner

Kitchen with:

Toaster
Fridge Freezer
Jacket Potato Oven
Industrial Dishwasher
Microwave
Combi Microwave
Double Top Fryer
6 hob gas oven
Small portable oven
Grill
2 portable grills

Store room with:

1 Large Fridge
3 freezers (various sizes)
2 soup kettles
Urn
Till (spare)
Baguette sealer

External with:

Good signage.
Off street parking.

Tenure
We are advised Leasehold:

Original lease length: 5 years
Remaining lease length: 5 years, as of 2017
Rent: £14,000 per annum

Hours
The business is open:

Monday – Friday: 9.00am – 3.30pm
Saturday: 9.30am – 2.30pm
Sunday: Closed

Staff
The business is owner run and managed with 1 x full time and 5 x part time staff members.

Financial Profile
The cafe currently operates 6 days per week and generates a turnover in the region of £126,000, with a gross profit of approximately 56%, as per the 2017 accounts.