this multi-facited business has roots in events and catering going back over 27 years. The business handles the full planning of weddings and events, from acquiring 5 star countryside locations, through arranging marquees, lighting, music and bands, floral displays and a full range of in-house catering services. Over the years the vendors have handled some major engagements, and as such have built an exceptional reputation, which draws many clients to business through recommendation and referral. This means there is a constant forward book of events planned year to year, and healthy stable turnover. Alongside the core events and catering business, the vendors have developed a number of exiting new avenues of business with exceptional growth potential. This includes an in-house catering school, local corporate catering services, and a range of branded pre-prepared speciality food products which are now being distributed to a range of wholesalers and retailers. The business has tended to focus on events and weddings looking for speciality ethnic catering, but with a reputation for the full planning of events, the catering services can easily be applied to a broader range of customer. The business owners have built a firm with a strong market presence, stable core workforce and large team of professional casual workers to call on, and all the equipment and facilities required to provide a full service. Over the years the business has also built invaluable connections with complimentary service companies which the vendors are looking to handover to the new owners of the business. Equipment: the office is equipped with a number of p.c.’s, printers and a telephone system required to run an operation of this size smoothly. There is a large separate facility for training waiting staff and presenting food for tasting sessions, which also houses a number of cooking stations with full extraction, which has been built with a catering college feel in mind. In the main downstairs kitchen / food preparation area, is a newly built and custom designed walk-in cold storage room, and separate walk-in freezer. The kitchen is well equipped with new machinery, including a large 8 burner hob, with extra canopy, dishwashers, dough mixers, pastry liner, and all hand equipment needed for a professional catering facility. Customer service: central to the company success is its total commitment to quality and customer care, which is focused to a great extent on making the event planning process as relaxed and enjoyable for the client, while offering a professional approach to all they do, and surpassing expectations on the day. With the other functions of the business, the commitment to customer service is also paramount, and proven by reliability, flexibility, and a hands on approach to customer satisfaction. Key strengths: alongside the lengthy trading history and reputation which fuels a regular level of forward bookings, the business enjoys a great location, streamlined operation, and well trained and loyal staff. With a well appointed large kitchen facility on site, the business can also handle events that other outside catering firms are not able to meet to a satisfactory level. The in-house kitchen and storage facilities also allow the business to offer additional services to compliment the core event planning business. Growth and expansion opportunities: this business in particular has extensive opportunities to for growth and expansion. Some of which have already been started by the present owners. The business currently focuses on events in a certain demographic, which can easily be expanded on with additional marketing and promotion. There is an opportunity to drive more enquires via a defined web marketing push. Alongside expanding the already successful events side of the business, the vendors have started producing pre-packed food, with a good quality brand and image. This is now primed ready for selling into wholesalers and retailers on a larger scale. The business also has facilities to train on site, and can offer a range of courses for cooking, food preparation and food service.
| Ownership: |
no |
| Lease: |
yes |
| Lease terms: |
Comparable rent in the area is approximately £10 per sq ft, with business rates of around £14,500 per annum. |
| Location: |
The vendors own the freehold of this impressive property, and currently lease the premises back to the business on favourable terms. They are looking to negotiate this with new owners, and can also agree to leasing some of the major capital equipment should that be required.
On the ground floor, the premises occupies approximately 8000 sq ft. There is a small reception / waiting area. The Kitchen, (including cold-storage facilities), is around 6000 sq ft, with remaining space devoted to staff facilities.
On the first floor, there is a further 2000 sq ft of usable space, currently around 1000 sq ft is used as a main office with ample space for 5 people to work comfortably, and a small Directors office. The other 1000 sq ft has cooking work-stations for 8, with large table areas for presentations, food tasting, and the training of waiting staff. This area has been built with the potential to operate as a training college in mind.
The vendors have invested over £500,000 in property development over the years. Comparable rent in the area is approximately £10 per sq ft, with business rates of around £14,500 per annum. |
