Bishops Blaize, Richmond

Admiral Taverns are looking for an experienced and dynamic licensee to take charge of this beautifully multifaceted pub business. This is a standout opportunity for somebody driven with a proven track record in running a successful, community-focused pub, ideally with experience spanning wet-led trade, quality food service, and guest accommodation. We’re seeking someone with a true passion for hospitality, strong leadership, and the ambition to build on the current trade while confidently re-establishing the pub as a key player in the local market. The ideal applicant requires commercial awareness, operational expertise, and a proactive mindset alongside a clear vision and the ability to maintain consistently high standards across all areas of the business. The ideal candidate will come with strong cash flow, a solid marketing presence, and the skills to leverage social media to drive visibility, footfall, and community engagement. But above all, we’re looking for someone ready to embed themselves in the Richmond community, someone who can build lasting relationships, become a recognised and trusted presence, and create a welcoming pub atmosphere that keeps locals and visitors coming back time and again.

The Bishops Blaize is a historic pub dating back to 1546, proudly standing in the heart of Richmond’s Market Square, near the River Swale on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. As the oldest pub in town, it enjoys strong community ties and consistent custom from locals, tourists and nearby Catterick Barracks. Its prime location offers excellent visibility, free town-centre parking, and easy access via the A1 and regular bus routes. A trusted hub for local clubs and social groups, the Bishops Blaize is also ideally placed on the Coast to Coast walk, making it a welcoming stop for walkers exploring Richmond’s rich Georgian heritage and stunning surroundings.

Pub Layout

Inside the Bishops Blaize, guests are welcomed into a warm and characterful space. The main bar area features a well-stocked galley-style bar and a raised dining section perfect for diners. A cosy snug with bench seating offers lovely views over Richmond’s Market Square, while a second, quieter snug bar with an open fire and darts board provides the perfect spot to relax. Upstairs, a fully equipped commercial kitchen supports a thriving food offer, alongside a flexible function room used for events, meetings, and community gatherings. The second floor hosts three en-suite letting rooms for overnight stays, complemented by a top-floor laundry room for added convenience. To the rear, a charming courtyard offers a peaceful retreat with stunning views of Richmond Castle, while pavement seating at the front invites guests to enjoy the vibrant market atmosphere.

The Bishops Blaize is a well-established, traditionally wet-led pub with a strong reputation for its premium drinks offering and popular cocktail menu. Currently trading across all three elements, the business leans 60% towards drink sales, with 30% from food and 10% from its high-quality letting rooms. The food offer is centred around a traditional, crowd-pleasing menu, enhanced by well-loved themed nights such as “Two for £20,” pie and a pint, burger and drink, and pizza nights, along with Saturday bar snacks and hearty Sunday lunches, all of which are consistently well received by regulars and visitors alike. The pub also offers three beautifully refurbished en-suite letting rooms: a spacious family room, a twin, and a double, each finished to a high standard, providing a comfortable and convenient stay.

Private Accommodation

There is no private accommodation with this site.

Letting Accommodation

The site has 3 letting bedrooms, one family room, one twin room and one double room, all en-suite.

Annual Rent: £18,000

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

Working Capital: £5,000

Stock: £5,000

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

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.

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 *