Apsley House, Southsea

The Apsley House is a well known wet -led, community pub, located on Auckland Road West in Southsea, just off Clarence Parade and The Solent. It is ideally situated near to the waterfront and very close to Southsea high street with Portsmouth city centre being only a short 10 minute walk away. The local area of Southsea is home to a popular pebble beach with promenade and pier, as well as Southsea common with tennis courts, volleyball, skatepark and a pitch and putt. A castle and an aquarium also prove popular to tourists and the pub itself has been at the centre of ghost tales over the years after a ex-barman pub employee appeared in a photo of the former victorian girls school.

Pub Layout

The trade area is spacious and is dominated by a central u-shaped bar servery, which welcomes the customer at the front entrance. Customer seating is laid out to the front, left and right hand sides of the trade space and there is also a raised area to the front right of the pub which is used for a pool and gaming machine. Externally to the front of the pub, there is a sun trap terraced area which has space for around 20 customers to enjoy their drinks al fresco.

The Apsley House is currently a wet only, community pub for the locals, however it does attract some passing trade and also tourists visiting Southsea, particularly in the Summer. The pub offers darts, pool, quiz nights, open mic nights and a jukebox. There are three excellently kept real ales always available, alongside live cider and the in the summer the front terrace is a very pleasant and popular place to be.

Private Accommodation

The private accommodation is comprises 2 bedrooms, lounge, bathroom, kitchen and office.

Annual Rent: £24,000

Security Deposit: £5,000

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 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.

Training: £325 plus VAT

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

Admiral Taverns are looking for a licensee for the Apsley who is willing to put the community at the forefront of their business. Someone who will really focus on connecting with the locals and also being open to tourists and visitors to increase their income. They will need to be able to serve the right drinks offer and have the enthusiasm to promote a more premium selection where appropriate as well as introduce a wholesome pub grub food offer including a much needed Sunday roast. Given the local levels of competition, Admiral Taverns will favour an experienced licensee for this venue and an ability to market the pub successfully using social media will also contribute greatly to driving the business.

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

Service Charge Cost – £60.89 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 and the licensee only occupying one property for commercial purposes.  Please note, this only applies to pubs marked with an Asterix *