THE MERRY HARRIERS

Forches Corner, Clayhidon Cullompton, Devon EX15 3TR

FREEHOLD: £595,000 REF: 4714F

Substantial detached character destination freehouse set in around 2½ acres, spacious 4 double bed owners accommodation, bar and restaurant areas seating 75 plus customers, attractive lawned beer gardens, ex tensive car parking, prominent roadside position.

The Merry Harriers is situated in a rural countryside location within the Blackdown Hills at Forches Corner near Wellington, on the Devon and Somerset border. It is situated on the corner of two unclassified highways, opposite Buckland Wood and close to Wellington Monument. The road on which the property fronts, runs in an east west direction across the Blackdown Hills between the M5 motorway and Ilminster and is a busy road, and popular tourist route. The nearest hamlet is Clayhidon which is approximately 2½ miles south, although there are numerous small villages and hamlets within a 5 mile radius. The nearby country town of Wellington is located approximately 5miles away with Junction 26 of the M5 motorway.

The Merry Harriers is a substantial and well presented character country inn and destination freehouse which has won numerous awards and accolades over recent years. Set in approximately 2½ acres, the property retains many character features such as exposed ceiling beams, Inglenook fireplaces, flagstone flooring and exposed stone walls. Recently, the property has been run under full management and this well appointed FREE OF TIE public house briefly comprises:- Main Bar and Lounge (44 plus); Restaurant and Dining Room (30 plus); Commercial Kitchens with ancillary areas; Skittle Alley; 4 Bedroom Owners Accommodation with Lounge, Kitchen and 2 Bathrooms. External ly, the property is set in approximately 2½ acres of grounds which incorporate lawned Trade Gardens (70 plus), an Orchard, Paddock, 2 Car Parking Areas for approximately 50 vehicles, and various useful outbuildings, store rooms and garages.

ACCOMMODATION BUSINESS (contd)

GROUND FLOOR – Two entrance doors leading from the main car Turnover – We are informed that trading accounts for the year park areas into Lounge Bar with carpeted flooring, exposed ending 2014 showed a net turnover in the region £350,000 and ceiling beams, feature stone fireplace with woodburner, range of having been run largely under management. Historic accounts free standing wooden tables, chairs, benches, settles for 26 plus show the turnover to be in the region of £380,000 with profits in customers. Through into Main Bar again a character trade area excess of £80,000 being generated. We are advised that the with carpeted flooring, part exposed stone walls, exposed ceiling current split of trade is in the order of 70% in favour of food sales beams, part timber clad walls, range of free standing wooden and 30% in favour of wet sales. Further accounting information can tables, chairs and bar stools for 18 plus customers. Timber be made available to interested parties following a formal viewing fronted and topped Bar Servery fitted with a range of back bar appointment. fittings with flagstone flooring, EPOS touch screen cash register, glasswasher, glass fronted drinks fridges and Belfast sink. Beer Opening Hours – The pub currently trades from midday until Cellar temperature controlled with ice machine. Restaurant & 3:00pm and from 6:30pm until 11:00pm Tuesday to Friday; from Dining Room two interconnecting rooms with exposed ceiling midday until 11:00pm on Saturdays and from midday until 3:00pm beams, quarry tile flooring, exposed wall timbers, part exposed on Sundays. The pub is currently closed on Sunday evenings and all brick walls, feature exposed stone fireplace (disused), range of day on Mondays. wooden tables and chairs comfortably seating 30 plus customers. Ladies & Gents WCs. Commercial Catering Kitchen with Altro Current Staffing – The business is currently run under full flooring and part stainless steel clad walls, fitted with a management with no involvement from our clients. Further details comprehensive range of commercial catering equipment to available upon request. include:- two 6-burner gas ranges, under counter commercial fridges and freezers, extraction system with extraction canopy Potential – Undoubtedly there is further potential for hands on over, hand basin, deep bowl stainless sink unit, serving gantry owner operators to develop all aspect of this business still further with warming lamps, twin floor standing deep fat fryer, warming and to reinvigorate the business. There are opportunities to cabinet, 3 microwave ovens, stainless steel workbenches with increase the current opening hours and by further advertising and shelving below. Preparation Area with stainless steel workbench promotion. This opportunity would ideally suit experienced with shelving below, Altro flooring, undercounter fridge, 2 upright operators or an extended family operation. freezers, domestic fridge, 2 microwave ovens, coffee maker, 2 upright freezers. Washup Area with stainless steel deep bowl sink RATING unit, stainless steel workbenches with shelving below, commercial dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer. Door to rear For up to date Business Rates and Council Tax information relating service yard area. to this property, we refer you to The Valuation Office website www.voa.gov.uk. OWNERS ACCOMMODATION – On the first floor is the spacious family sized owners accommodation which briefly comprises:- SERVICES (advised by client) Sitting Room, Domestic Kitchen, Secondary Sitting Room Area, 3 Good Sized Double Bedrooms , a Further Single Bedroom and Mains water and electricity, septic tank drainage and LPG for 2 Bathrooms. cooking and heating.

EXTERNALLY – We are advised that the property is set in ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE – Requested and awaiting approximately 2½ acres surrounded by rolling countryside with details. extensive lawned Trade Gardens with picnic bench seating for over 70 customers, Orchard Area, Pony Paddock, 2 Car Park PRICE & TENURE Areas for approximately 50 vehicles, Skittle Alley . There are also a useful range of outbuildings including a Former Stable Block £595,000 for the valuable freehold interest as a going concern currently used as storage, an Enclosed Courtyard & Bin Store business and full trade inventory. Wet and dry stocks to be Area, Freezer Store and Double Garage. additional at valuation. Vacant possession upon completion.

Please note: The fittings, equipment and services listed have FINANCE not been tested by the agents, although we are informed that all items are in working order. An early discussion about finance can often save time and disappointment. If you would like independent specialist advice on THE BUSINESS (Accounts will be provided to genuine purchasers, funding this property or any other purchase, contact us for details once viewed) of our approved brokers.

Trading Style – The Merry Harriers is a classic and traditional free of tie destination and country freehouse which is food led and has VIEWINGS thrived on repeat business. The pub has won Devon’s Dining Pub of the Year award for 2011 and 2012 and is featured in The Good Strictly by appointment with the vendors Sole Selling Food Guide. The current owners purchased the property as an Agents.Tel:(01392)201262.Email:[email protected] investment in late 2013 and have undertaken a programme of You are recommended to contact us before visiting the property refurbishment, allowing for further growth of business. even for an informal viewing. We can then confirm whether or not Unfortunately due to unforeseen ill health, the business is now it is still available. being offered for sale. A particular feature of The Merry Harriers are the extensive grounds which make this a very special place in which to live and work and the pub is well regarded by its clientele for its well kept ales and for its high quality freshly prepared food, using the finest locally available produce. The pub is currently run under management and our clients advise that it Applicants are requested to make appointments to view and conduct negotiations through the Agents. No would benefit from hands on owner operators taking control of responsibility can be accepted for any expense incurred by fruitless journeys. Stonesmith for themselves and for the vendors or lessors of this property whose agents they are give notice the business on a day to day basis. The Merry Harriers has been that: awarded a 5 Star Food Hygiene Rating. The business does have its i) the particulars are set out as a general outline only for the guidance of intending purchasers or lessees, own website www.merry-harriers.co.uk however almost no and do not constitute, nor constitute part of, an offer or contract advertising or marketing is undertaken by our clients. The pub ii) all descriptions, dimensions, references to condition and necessary permissions for use and occupation, benefits from brown road signs and there are a number of nearby and other details are given without responsibility and any intending purchasers or tenants should not rely on them as statements or representations of fact but must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to campsites and self-catering establishments all of which bring the correctness of each of them. trade, particularly during the busy summer months. iii) no person in the employment of Stonesmith has any authority to make or give any representation or warranty whatever in relation to this property. The word “property” throughout shall include business and trade contents if appropriate