2011 - A BUSY YEAR .... - December 2011

Despite continued economic concern we are happy to report a very busy year for the sale of licensed trade premises, transactions including:

The Old Queens Head, Bingley BD16 2JR - circuit pub sold to a local businessman for re-branding as an upmarket bar.

The White Hart, Todmorden OL14 7BD - substantial town centre premises sold to JD Wetherspoon.

The Kings Arms, Barrow LA14 1HY - large town centre premises sold to Amber Taverns.

The Sycamore, Thongsbridge HD9 7SH and White House, Slaithwaite HD7 5TY - both sold for residential conversion.

The Commercial and Royal Oak Hotel, Skipton - sold for restaurant and hotel use respectively.

The Cross Inn, Heptonstall HX7 7NB sold for continued licensed trade use (tenanted).

The Talbot, Settle BD24 9EX - an historic town centre public house sold for ongoing trade use.

The Devonshire Arms, Cracoe BD23 6LA - widely known and busy premises sold (leasehold) for ongoing trade use.

The Oddfellows Arms, Mellor SK6 5PT - charming and historic premises in a quality area sold for conversion to restaurant.

 

ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END ... - November 2011

 

After 44 years pf retailing from their Gargrave premises Dorothy Ward will cease trading this month, as the owners look to retire.    Established in Skipton (Middle Row) in 1949, Dorothy Ward opened the now well known retailing emporium in North Street in 1967, since when the property has been firmly established on the map as a destination business, drawing regular customers from over a wide area.

The property is expected to appeal to a wide range of potential occupiers - either for ongoing commercial use or alternatively for redevelopment on a residential basis (subject to planning).  Full details are available under the "commercial - retail" or "development" tabs.

SOLD 

 

HIGH STREET PROPERTY FOR SALE .... - September 2011

The Coach House offers 146.6 sq.m/1578 sq.ft gross internal on two floors - an attractive and traditional styled detached building just off the High Street and with high prominence to the central car park.

The property immediately adjoins the proposed town centre redevelopment site involving 9 High Street together with substantial new retail units at the rear of the Town Hall (proposed occupiers including Next, Brantano footwear, Argos, Pizza Express etc).  A new footway between the High Street and Jerry Croft (Marks & Spencers) leads directly past the CoachHouse. 

With private on-site parking the building is seen as suitable for a variety of uses - subject to appropriate planning consents (see "commercial/retail/office").

TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITIES - NEW INSTRUCTIONS IN CUMBRIA .... SEPTEMBER 2011 - September 2011

Two very high calibre sites being offered on behalf of corporate clients - The Ship, Dovenby, near Cockermouth and Braddylls Arms, Bardsea, near Ulverston are available, freehold, free of tie and each based on an asking price of £395,000 (offers).

Refurbished to a very high standard in recent years The Ship is a destination dining house with excellent car park (small caravan site) plus three letting bedrooms - trade areas being of a very high standard in the modern rustic style, and with three en-suite letting bedrooms plus private living quarters.

The Braddylls Arms is situated within the village of Bardsea, on an elevated site affording extensive car parking and sitting out areas all with superb distant views across Morecambe Bay to the South and within a proven trading area.  The property offers high capacity bar/dining accommodation plus four en suite letting rooms together with private living quarters.

Each of these sites present aspring licencees/caterers with a superb trading opportunity - please see under 'public houses' for full details, photos, title documentation etc.

 

20 Years On - August 2011

Michael, Alastair and the team recently celebrated the company's 20th birthday with a trip to London, enjoying a spectacular view of the city from an exclusive capsule on the "Eye" followed by a lengthy luncheon at Gordon Ramsey's restaurant in Claridges.

Diana Lynan, Liz Rankin and Phil Murgatroyd of the original team are still with the firm whilst Mandy Whitehead joined a few months later followed by Alastair in 1993.

The ethos of the firm has always been to provide clients and customers with a highly personalised "one-to-one" service and the formula clearly works.

The company's tenth birthday was celebrated in Dublin and the next milestone will be a Silver Jubilee which may well be the swansong for a number of "senior" members.

TOWN CENTRE OFFICES LET TO TRAINING AGENCY - June 2011

Acting on behalf of the Raven Development Company Ltd. Units 2 & 3 Navigation House, Belmont Bridge in the centre of Skipton have been let within a month of the previous occupiers vacating.

Backing onto the canal basin Navigation House offers high quality accommodation with private en-site parking.  For many years occupied by North Yorks. Careers Guidance Services, the building has been vacated as part of NYCC's strategic move to nearby Craven House (in conjunction with Craven District Council).

New tenants Business Support & Development Ltd. offer training services to a wide market including individuals looking for employment - largely continuing where the previous occupiers left off - plus ca change ....  

 

ILKLEY RESTAURANT PREMISES TO LET - MAY 2011 - June 2011

Restaurant opportunities in Ilkley are a rarity and generally in high demand - after trading for in excess of 20 years as the Po Sang Chinese Restaurant, premises at 10 Wells Road are presently available on a new lease.

Just off The Grove and close to the railway/bus stations the premises are very well situated to trade with good evening parking.  The property is in need of some re-organisation and refurbishment - lease terms are flexible accordingly. 

 

CRAVEN COLLEGE NURSERY PREMISES FOR SALE - June 2011

This well known property is situated at the main (vehicular) entrance to Aireville Park and as such enjoying an attractive parkland setting whilst convenient and accessible to a large daytime population.  Situated on the fringe of the town and close to the town's Western by-pass (A65)nearby neighbours include Craven College, pool, Aireville School and HML building - the premises suitable for either continued nursery occupation or a variety of alternatives (subject to appropriate consents).

Offers are invited around the guide price of £175,000 - full details available (see retail/office sections).

LAND SALE - March 2011

34.4 acres of agricultural land (no buildings) was sold by auction on Friday, March 18th at The Fence Gate Inn for £200,000.

The bidding opened at £100,000 but quickly progressed between two other parties and was soon knocked-down for £200,000.

The auctioneer was Mr Michael Westlake, the vendors solicitor was Paul Breedon of Messrs Clough Willis and the purchaser was represented by Mr P C Walker of Walker, Foster, Barnoldswick.

 

DECEMBER 2010 - THREE SKIPTON PUBLIC HOUSES SOLD - December 2010

Sales of The Breeze Bar (Swadford Street), The Commercial (Water Street) and Masons Arms (Eastby) - all within or close to Skipton - were completed before the end of the year.  Each of the three will see change, the Breeze Bar most probably as a retail unit, with the Commercial seeming destined for some catering oriented use and the Masons Arms with an emphasis on high quality bedroom accommodation.

These sales represent a continuing contraction of the pubcos estates - yielding opportunities on a varied basis and which seems set to continue into 2011.

DECEMBER 2010 - NEW LEASE OF LIFE FOR THE WHEATSHEAF - December 2010

The sale of The Wheatsheaf at Newhey, Milnrow was completed in December 2010 - Andrew and Rachel Garner intending to relocate their established nearby restaurant (The Cedar Tree) to the premises.

Refurbished recently to a high standard and with the benefit of large enclosed rear garden area plus living accommodation on two floors the sale of this property represented a superb opportunity.

SKIPTON'S PREMIER RETAILER LOOKING TO RETIRE - September 2010

Westlake & Co. have been instructed to find a buyer for this highly successful business. Michael Westlake commented 'this is no fire-sale but a very rare opportunity to acquire a well-established business that has shown significant growth in terms of turnover and profit over the last few years when much of the retailing industry has been in the doldrums'.

The Stockbridge Arms, Stockbridge, Keighley - May 2010

-The Stockbridge Arms, Bradford Road, Stockbridge, Keighley - formerly trading as ‘The Bridge' is a landmark property widely known and offering high capacity trade areas on a large site of approx. 0.25 hectares/0.62 acres providing excellent parking and garden facilities.  With a large ground floor conservatory extension into the garden at the side, the premises are ideally suited for a catering-led trade - or alternative (subject to appropriate consents - if required).  Bradford Road is a busy secondary route within a densely populated established area convenient for the main A650 Aire Valley Trunk Road - a price of £350,000 (offers) is sought for the freehold interest, free of tie and with vacant possession.

Former Corn Mill at Bradley sold for £320,000 - March 2010

The Mill reputedly dates back over 700 years and is Grade II Listed with Planning Permission for conversion to a 2,000sq.ft. of dwelling plus office/work space at 205sq.ft.

Bidding started at £175,000 and the three bidders swiftly notched up 30 bids before the hammer fell.

Auctioneer, Michael Westlake said 'this is a remarkable result that effectively bucks the trend and clearly shows that buyers will pay what it takes to secure an exceptional property'.

Looking back, the house next door, Ghyll House, was sold by auction for the same price in October '08 in the height of the financial crisis to the same bidder.

The Old Station Public House, Giggleswick, Settle - SOLD - July 2009

Instructions received from Punch Taverns to dispose of the widely known and high profiled Old Station Public House, Giggleswick, Settle - immediately adjoining the main A65 Skipton-Lakes Road.  The premises are offered in 'ready to trade' condition having been refurbished in recent years and with high capacity bar/dining areas plus eight en-suite letting bedrooms and private living accommodation.  With excellent visibility to a large potential passing traffic the premises are considered suitable for a range of alternative uses (retail showroom etc) - subject to the necessary Planning Consents (if required).  An asking price of £375,000 is being quoted (offers) for the freehold interest free of tie.

Historic former Coaching Inn for sale - April 2009

The Kings Arms, Temple Sowerby, Near Penrith is on the market for the first time in many years - a substantial former coaching inn comprising bars and dining areas plus letting bedrooms and private quarters all on a large site with extensive outbuildings arranged around an inner courtyard. 

The property is situated immediately to the North of the A66 trans-Pennine route 7 miles West of Penrith and potentially being suitable for some reorganisation/redevelopment to create a smaller licensed trade business with private housing/holiday cottages - all subject to the necessary consents.

PRICE £475,000 (offers) - SOLD

The Wheatley Hotel, Ben Rhydding, Ilkley - October 2008

Offered on behalf of Punch Taverns this widely known business - closed for five years - has been sold to Individual Inns for ongoing licensed operation.  Having obtained planning consent for re-organisation of the accommodation the purchasers intend to substantially refurbish the premises and accommodation including the creation of 12 en-suite letting bedrooms.

Alastair McDowell commented 'the sale created a very high level of interest from a wide variety of potential purchasers looking at the site from varying angles - the sale terms eventually agreed reflecting the potential best outcome for the local community of potential customers and seemingly securing the future of the site in the licensed trade'.

Individual Inns operate four high quality and successful licensed venues in the area including the Tempest Arms, Elslack and Fountaine Inn, Linton both near Skipon, the Masons Arms, Strawberry Bank, Cartmel and the Spread Eagle, Sawley, Clitheroe.

Individual Inns' spokesman said 'we are thrilled and very excited about this site which represents a perfect compliment to our group and to that of the ethos of Individual Inns.  With its idyllic setting and fine features the Wheatley Hotel is ideal for our concept and which we are confident will work as successfully as has proven elsewhere'.

LANDMARK YORKS. DALES PUB HOTEL TO LET - NIL PREMIUM - May 2008

The Buck Inn, Malham, Near Skipton - is available to let on the instructions of Enterprise Inns Plc.

The Buck Inn is an attractive traditionally styled public house with two separate bars plus dining/functions facilities and ten letting bedrooms situated in the centre of this 'honeypot' village - popular with visitors throughout the year. 

This is a strong established business trade with undoubted potential and offered with the benefit of good three bedroom private living quarters plus separate staff accommodation.

An excellent opportunity to acquire a widely known business with significant trading potential - full details of rent and inventory valuation available (reference Alastair McDowell).

Terms now agreed - please contact Alastair McDowell for potential similar instructions.

RURAL (CANAL SIDE) OFFICES NEARING COMPLETION - GARGRAVE - May 2008

Canal View Business Centre currently under construction adjoining the Leeds/Liverpool canal on the edge of Gargrave village - with units available from June/July 2008.

Flexible accommodation from 400 to 3,000 sq.ft. on competive terms - all representing a superb working environment.

Offices can be incorporated with storage/works units if required (see full particulars).

POPULAR RURAL VILLAGE FREE HOUSE SOLD - MARCH 2008 - April 2008

The Eagle & Child, Hurst Green, Near Clitheroe has been sold 'off the market' in a confidential deal and on an asking price of £650,000.

Acting for private clients interest was generated from a number of sources before a deal being quickly concluded to Manchester-based breweries J W Lees & Co.

Alastair McDowell commented "the sale of this property under such circumstances demonstrates a continued healthy demand for quality free houses" - the purchasers intending to continue operation of this traditional free house by way of a tied tenancy.

M&S Open in Skipton - December 2007

Acting on behalf of the Simpson family (Norman, Maurice and John) proprietors of the Pennine Motors, Westlake & Co have negotiated a deal with M&S for the ground floor (11,800 sq.ft) of Skipton House and they are now open for business.

The deal took almost three years to finalise from when 'Heads of Terms' were originally agreed, during which time Norman Simpson has personally supervised the construction of Skipton House from the original bus garage, with Andy Holmes of Quantum Arbiter as Project Manager.

Michael Westlake said 'this is the most exciting retail event in all my 40 years experience in Skipton.  Over the years, many people have wished for an M&S and its all thanks to the tenacity and determination of the Simpsons!'

Skipton House also includes seven maisonettes, an apartment and two office suites, all of which are available and ready for occupation.

Contact Karen Chown for details.

The Robin Hood Inn, Helmshore, Rossendale - July 2007

Acting on behalf of private clients, The Robin Hood Inn was sold on a discreet basis to The Copper Dragon Skipton Brewery for operation within their growing tied leased estate.

A traditional neighbourhood free house in every sense of the word The Robin Hood had been extended and modernised by the vendors and quickly generated significant interest from a number of potential purchasers.  The sale of this business represents an ongoing demand for good quality public houses, with many continuing to be sold on a wholly discreet basis without any direct marketing.

Ghyll Way. 10,000sq.ft. to go - May 2007

When a long established Skipton-based distribution company sold their trading operation, Westlake & Co. were able to successfully dispose of their premises.

Without undertaking any direct marketing interest was quickly generated from a number of prospective buyers, a sale by way of ‘best and final' bids culminating in an excellent result and which importantly met the vendor's timescale perfectly.

Local knowledge is essential in these cases. It is often the case that we are able to match vendors and buyers aspirations - not all properties are actively marketed and if you have a requirement then please let us know.

THE LISTERS ARMS, MALHAM – SOLD TO DANIEL THWAITES PLC. - May 2007

Acting on behalf of the owners of over fifteen years, Westlake & Co. have sold the well known Listers Arms public house to Lancashire Brewers Daniel Thwaites Plc. in an ‘off the market' deal.

This sale demonstrates a continued demand for businesses of this type, with substantial interest for the business having been generated without any direct marketing undertaken and the minimum of disruption to trade.

Daniel Thwaites propose no major alterations at the property - their Marketing Manager Richard Ball saying "We want to reassure people that there will be no drastic changes at the Listers Arms, just an ongoing effort to please regulars with fine ales and a great community atmosphere. The Listers Arms is a hugely popular pub in the Yorkshire Dales and we are excited to be associated with it".

Named after the first Lord Ribblesdale, Thomas Lister, the pub is a fine example of a quintessential English country free house, situated in the centre of this Yorks. Dales National Park village.

Greenroyd Mill - February 2007

New lease of life for landmark property 

Having acted for the owners of Greenroyd Mill, Sutton in Craven for over ten years - and during which time the 100,000 sq. ft. mill achieved 99% occupancy - Westlake & Co. assisted the property owners throughout a three year long process in achieving a disposal to Beck Developments in Spring 2007.

Working closely with local architects, Bowman Riley Architects, and with the Planning Department at Craven District Council together with English Heritage etc. planning consent was obtained for conversion of the mill to 46 units together with 30 new build properties on the site.

The company assisted throughout this process including negotiation of the terms of a Section 106 Agreement with the planning office to the maximum benefit of the overall scheme. This included negotiations with the adjoining school and who are granted an enlarged site and new playground as a result of the development.

Shortly after a programme of relocation for the mill occupiers was completed planning consent was granted, and a sale agreed on behalf of the vendors within only days of legal completion of the planning process.

Simon Prest of Beck Developments said "We have worked hard to get this project off the ground and without the help of the mill owners' agents, Westlake & Co., we would not have been able to make this amount of progress". The purchasers are currently developing the site with the first units available in Spring 2008.

ALL CHANGE IN BOROUGHBRIDGE - September 2006

Acting on behalf of the private owners of 12 years, specialist licensed property agents Westlake & Co. of Skipton have sold The Musketeer, Horsfair, Boroughbridge to the Tadcaster Pub Co. in a confidential (‘off-market') deal.

‘The Musketeer fits well with our local estate of traditionally styled public houses and we are pleased with the acquisition' said James Crawfurd-Porter for the purchasers. The Tadcaster Pub Co. is a privately owned multiple site operator established in 1992 and operating a number of sites throughout the region.

Just six months ago Westlake & Co. were involved in the sale of The Grantham Arms, Boroughbridge - just 500m away - a sale again handled on a wholly confidential basis and without marketing. With five letting rooms and dining facilities in addition to traditional bars the business was once more sold on behalf of private clients for the first time in 12 years, with Punch Taverns the successful buyers.

Alastair McDowell of Westlake & Co. commented ‘the sale of these two businesses without the necessity for any direct marketing confirms a continued demand for good quality licensed premises. Boroughbridge is perceived as a quality location with a strong trading potential and with both sites sold amidst good competition from a number of corporate operators'.

The Redwell Inn, Arkholme, Near Carnforth, Lancs. - May 2006

Instructed by the private owners, The Redwell Inn was ‘placed' with a major pub company in Spring 2006, in a very successful deal and without any marketing being undertaken.

Alastair McDowell commented ‘the sale of the property in this way demonstrates the continued strong demand from serious and well funded buyers to acquire high quality sites - the key to success being to put potential purchasers in a competitive situation and to ensure the best outcome for the vendor'

Cononley Ice Cream Site Sold - March 2006

Acting on behalf of the owners of the famous Yorkshire Dales Ice Cream brand Westlake & Co. have sold the former Aireside Mills site - with the benefit of Planning Consent for 34 new houses - to Antler Homes Limited.

The 2.5 acre site was the subject of a Planning Appeal prior to obtaining Consent and generated significant interest based on an asking price of £2,750,000.

Antler Homes are currently developing the site (Riverdale Ings) with three and four bedroom family homes for occupation from Summer 2007.

Sale of world famous pub - The Woolpack, Esholt - February 2006

Famous for being the 'local' in the now long running ITV soap 'Emmerdale' the sale of The Woolpack at Esholt generated enormous interest with enquiries received from all over the world!

Press releases issued under the tag line 'you'll never be able to buy The Rovers Return or The Queen Vic - but you can buy The Woolpack' generated a storm of media interest and reports ensuring a very satisfactory result.

Offers in the region of £600,000 were sought for the property following the closure of the business by the previous tenants and the property having subsequently been refurbished and re-opened by the new owners, to wide acclaim.