Alexandra, Darwen

The Alexandra is already a highly regarded pub, known as a popular community hub. Building on its strong reputation, Admiral Taverns is looking for a dynamic and experienced licensee to take it to the next level. The ideal candidate will be passionate about enhancing the pub’s offerings, particularly in drinks and food, ensuring an exceptional experience for all customers. A keen eye for detail, a commitment to high service levels, and an effective social media marketing strategy will be key to pushing this pub’s success even further. The licensee will be responsible for maintaining the pub’s welcoming, inclusive atmosphere, putting customers first and fostering a friendly, community-driven space. They will also excel at establishing relationships with local charities and community groups, using the pub as a venue to support and champion local causes. Organising regular events, such as league team games, darts, and pool tournaments, will be vital to keeping the pub buzzing with energy. Additionally, the licensee will establish a strong weekly rhythm of activities, including quizzes, live music, and other entertaining events that will appeal to a wide range of people. A solid understanding of marketing and social media is essential to promote these events and foster a sense of community. By combining a community-first approach with engaging activities and a robust online presence, the licensee will ensure the pub remains a key player in the local social scene, attracting both regulars and newcomers.  This is an exciting opportunity to take the reins of a thriving pub, enhance its offerings and contribute to its growth within the local community.

Pub Layout

The pub offers a unique and versatile space, with a central servery bar that serves both the main bar area and the lounge room, ensuring seamless service across all areas. The lounge room features a comfortable mixture of fixed benches and low-level seating, with a combination of carpeted and tiled floors and soft furnishings that create a relaxed atmosphere. A small raised area with an open fire adds to the warmth and cosiness of the space, making it a welcoming spot for locals to dine and relax. The room is equipped with a pool table, multiple TVs showing live sports, and a small DJ area with facilities for live music, karaoke, and quizzes, making it ideal for a variety of entertainment options. The bar area is adults-only, with hardwood floors, high bar stools, and bench seating around the windows, complemented by darts boards and a second pool table. TVs displaying live sports add to the vibrant and lively games room atmosphere. There is a well-equipped catering kitchen on site, perfect for preparing meals for the main bar and snacks for the bar area. Outside, a small decking area offers a pleasant view of the expansive garden, which includes covered huts and a large grassed area, ideal for hosting events during the warmer months. The pub also benefits from a car park both at the rear and front of the building providing convenient parking for guests.

The Alexandra is primarily a wet-led pub, with a strong emphasis on offering excellent drinks, including a variety of cask ales. While the pub is predominantly focused on its drinks, it also provides a midweek food offer and traditional Sunday roasts, with the pub’s wet sales outpacing the dry by an 80/20 split. The drinks menu complements the food offerings, ensuring that guests can enjoy a well-rounded experience. In addition to being a popular spot for the locals, the Alexandra has the capacity to host private functions and events, with seating available for approximately 100 guests. This makes it an ideal location for gatherings, celebrations or corporate events. The pub also fosters a strong sense of community, supporting local sports teams, and offering entertainment through darts and pool and live music at the weekends. The current licensees of the pub are particularly community-focused, and their welcoming approach has been well-received by the locals, contributing to the pub’s role as a beloved hub in Darwen.

Private Accommodation

The private accommodation consists of four bedrooms, living room, kitchen and a bathroom all in good condition.

Annual Rent: £19,500

Security Deposit: £5,000 or the equivalent of three months’ rent, whichever is greater

Working Capital: £3,000

Stock: £3,000

Business Rates: £Nil.  Based on the April 2023 rating list, the Zero Rates Payable is based on small business rates relief being applied for by the licensee and the licensee only occupying one property for commercial purposes.

Fixtures and Fittings: To be confirmed upon valuation –  funding options may be available for the right licensee.

Tie: All drinks categories are tied.  For fully funded licensees on long term agreements, we offer free-of-tie options for certain drinks categories in exchange for an annual fee.

For a breakdown on financial information, please refer to the ‘Additional Info’ tab.

Annual Rent – This is our lowest rent figure associated with a Full Tie.  If the tie is reduced the effective rent (via Tie Release Fees) will increase.  Rent is billed and paid for weekly in advance depending on the payment terms agreed). On occasion, our Business Development Manager will discuss a start up rent which is discretionary to an individual pub and can be discussed.

Security Deposit – This sum of money will be held on your account and will be returned to you on exiting of the pub based on your final account balance and the condition of the property.  Our standard deposit is 25% of the headline rent.  On occasion, we can negotiate a lower security deposit with the aim to build up to our full deposit on a long term agreement.

Working Capital – This is a recommend amount required which will be used in the day-to-day running of the business.

Stock – This will be valued by an independent valuer on the day you take over the pub. This includes unbranded glassware, unopened bottles, wines, spirits, any unopened / opened kegs and cask ale providing the container is unopened.

Fixtures & Fittings – This includes any item that is bolted to the floor or walls, and a fitting to be any item that is free standing or hung by a nail or hook. This will also include furniture.

Tie: All drinks categories are tied.  For fully funded licensees on long term agreements, we offer free-of-tie options for certain drinks categories in exchange for an annual fee.

Training – £350.00 – Before signing a long term agreement, you will be required to attend our 7 Steps to Sales Success training programme.  Held online over two days, you will learn marketing and business strategies that will help you to grow sales in your pub – step-by-step.

Service Charge Cost – £63.33 per week – The Admiral Taverns Premium Maintenance Package will help take care of your compliance and statutory obligations with one simple fee, whilst giving you piece of mind about your boiler and cellar cooling repair and replacement.  This also includes full access to e-learning for you and your staff.

*Zero Business Rates – Based on the April 2023 rating list, the Nil Rates Payable is based on small business rates relief being applied for by the licensee and the licensee only occupying one property for commercial purposes.  Please note, this only applies to pubs marked with an Asterix *