This pub is not currently trading, and we are seeking a passionate individual or team to take it forward and unlock its full potential. Admiral Taverns will provide a strong support network along with a competitive financial package to help you bring your vision to life.
3+ Private Bedrooms
Beer Garden
Car Park
Cask Ale
Live Music
Open Fire
Sports Teams
The Buckingham Arms presents an exciting opportunity for an experienced licensee or a passionate couple ready to take on a rewarding new challenge. With an extensive internal refurbishment planned, Admiral Taverns is making a significant investment in the pub and is seeking a tenant with the drive, ambition, and vision to match. This is a rare chance to build a profitable, community-focused business with strong local appeal. Support will be available; however, success will depend on the licensee’s passion for the trade, a customer-focused approach, and strong commercial awareness. Rebuilding and maintaining a vibrant social media presence will be essential to attracting new customers and re-establishing The Buckingham Arms as a key destination within the local area. With the right energy and commitment, the pub has the potential to thrive once again. An experienced licensee or couple would be ideally placed to modernise and strengthen the offer while preserving the pub’s traditional village character. By maximising multi-stream trading, the business could build strong daytime, evening, and weekend trade through activities such as quizzes, live music, themed nights, private events, and community-led initiatives. Strengthening the pub’s role as a community hub will be key. Opportunities include hosting local events, working with local groups and organisations, and engaging customers through social media and regular communications. Maintaining excellent standards of comfort, flexibility, and a friendly, welcoming service should remain central to the offer.
The Buckingham Arms occupies a prominent position at the top of the main road linking Leighton Buzzard to Linslade, making it highly visible and easily accessible. This traditional 19th-century pub is full of character, featuring classic double-fronted bay windows that reflect its historic charm. Just one mile from Leighton Buzzard’s vibrant market town centre, and only 350 yards from the mainline train station with fast services to London Euston in just 30 minutes, the pub is ideally located for both locals and commuters. Surrounded by established residential neighbourhoods, it also sits at the heart of a rapidly expanding area with over 10,000 new homes recently built or under development attracting a growing population of young families and professionals. With its strong location and timeless appeal, The Buckingham Arms is well placed to thrive in this dynamic and fast-growing community.
Pub Layout
The main entrance to The Buckingham Arms sits proudly between two large bay windows, leading directly into the inviting main bar area. Here, guests are greeted by a beautiful Victorian-style servery, complemented by a mix of high and low-level seating that creates a warm and relaxed atmosphere. Convenient access to both ladies’ and gents’ facilities is available from this space. Heading past the bar to the right, and through the side entrance, you’ll find a spacious sports lounge at the rear of the pub. Designed for more lively gatherings, this area features a pool table, dartboard, juke box, and multiple TVs that regularly screen live sports. The lounge also offers a mix of fixed and casual seating, as well as separate access to additional ladies’ and shared gents’ facilities. Outside, the pub boasts a good-sized rear car park with space for around 12 vehicles, while the charming front courtyard terrace complete with bench seating and original railings offers an ideal al fresco spot.
The Buckingham Arms is a classic, wet-led community pub, well supported by local residents and known for its friendly atmosphere, quality drinks, and midweek team nights. With darts, pool teams, and a history of lively weekly events, it’s long been a favourite local spot especially for watching live sport on Sky and TNT Sports. The pub benefits from two separate bar areas, allowing for a cosy front bar and a spacious rear lounge that can host around 60 people for sports fixtures or private events. Popular for its real ales, the Buckingham has regularly offered a rotating selection of three hand-pulled cask ales, alongside modern draught lagers, premium spirits, and quality wines, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Outside, the enclosed courtyard terrace offers a relaxed, sociable space perfect for unwinding after work or catching up with friends in the heart of this commuter-friendly town.
The accommodation consists of living room, two double bedrooms, large bathroom, domestic kitchen, office, and private garage.
Annual Rent: £20,650
Security Deposit: £3,000 (with build up to £5000) 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.
The external appearance of the pub will be enhanced through the installation of striking new signage and feature lighting, alongside refreshed decoration and newly painted fencing to create a welcoming first impression. Internally, the bar and lounge areas will benefit from newly upholstered seating and high-quality new carpeting, providing a comfortable and inviting customer environment. A dedicated sports area will be created through the removal of fixed seating and the introduction of a specialist darts zone, complete with attractive wooden flooring to define the space and improve usability. The bar servery will be redecorated to align seamlessly with the newly refurbished interior scheme, incorporating upgraded optics and enhanced lighting to improve both aesthetics and functionality. Both the Ladies’ and Gents’ toilet facilities will be fully refurbished, including new urinals and WCs, modern vinyl flooring, contemporary vanity units, and refreshed décor designed to complement the pub’s overall interior design.
The refurbishment is subject to full Board approval. All designs are draft and indicative only, intended to showcase the potential of the pub. The refurbishment will be refined and personalised once a long-term licensee is secured, incorporating their vision for the look and feel of 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 – A security deposit is required when applying for a pub with Admiral. This will be the greater of £5,000 or three months’ headline rent. The deposit is held on your account and returned when you leave, subject to your final account balance and the condition of the property. We will also carry out a credit check as part of your application, which may affect the deposit amount required.
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 – £65.86 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 draft rating list for April 2026, 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 *
We believe we do things differently to other pub companies. To us its quite simple – great pubs are run by great people, so we focus on ensuring we can empower you to run a successful pub business. Every licensee is different, and no two pubs are the same, so we carefully tailor the range of agreements, support and training packages we offer to give you all you need to run your own pub.
The first step is to call our recruitment team and have a chat with us. We’ll probably suggest you attend one of our recruitment events as nothing beats a face to face chat. It’s also a good idea to research the sort of pub you are interested in ahead of time, so you have a clear picture of the competition in the area and what the local community looks for in that pub.
In order to run a pub, you will need a personal license which regulates the sale of alcohol in a pub. This can be achieved through attending a one-day course, ending in a multiple-choice exam. Once you’ve passed the exam, you then need to apply to your local council, for your personal licence. Admiral can easily help you with this by offering a discounted rate. Finally, you will also need to complete PEAT training (Pre Entry Awareness Training), an online course which explains the leased and tenanted pub agreement you are about to take on.
Our default agreement is our 5 Year Tenancy Agreement with a range of support available to you throughout your agreement with Admiral. We also offer induction training, our 7 Steps to Sales Success course is a 2 day online course that will provide you with the knowledge to run a pub and get you off to a great start before you get started. In addition to this, we offer other training workshops on a wide range of topics such as Marketing, Social Media, Cellar Training along with online training including Food Hygiene, Health & Safety and lots of other related courses. There is simply training available for every subject. When you take on a pub with us, your Business Development Manager will discuss your training requirements with you and identify areas where you may benefit from additional support or training.
Rents are based on open market value, Fair Maintainable Trade (FMT) and the future trading potential of the premises. This entails an assessment of the turnover and profitability that a reasonably efficient operator would be expected to achieve, taking into account the optimum trading style for the premises and making reasonable allowances for costs. This will involve estimating the trading potential rather than just adopting the actual level of trade under the existing ownership. This method of valuation is known as “the Profits Method”.
We want to empower our licensees to get on with the day to day running of the pub, as well as giving you the knowledge that you can count on us for as much (or as little) support as you need. Our team are truly passionate about community pubs and we want to do as much as we can to help you run sustainable and profitable businesses. Our support includes but isn’t limited to the following: Commercial & Marketing Support, Food Team, Licensing, Property Help Desk, Investments, Machines and Training.
Our BDMs work hard to build strong working relationships with their licensees. Your BDM is there to help you develop your pub and can support you in many different ways. From guidance around products and pricing, planning events, marketing your pub and development and training, our BDMs are empowered to make quick decisions which will help you move forward with your business.
We are continually investing in our pubs. From transformational refurbishments to small improvements where it really counts, we run an active investment programme and are committed to improving our estate of pubs. We also are fully invested in working alongside our licensees during the investment process to bring their ideas to fruition.
Admiral operates under the tenanted and leased model whereby we as the pub company own the pub and agree to rent the premises to you via a lease or tenancy agreement. Most tenancies/leases include a negotiated supply agreement covering the purchase of all drinks categories and possibly a range of other goods and services (hence the phrase ‘tied’ pubs). The level of rent you agree to pay at your pub will be dependent upon the extent of your purchasing obligations. Our rent offers are based on a Full Tie, and hence reflects the lowest rent payable. For licensees on long term agreements, we offer free-of-tie options for certain drinks categories in exchange for an annual fee. The prices you pay for drinks purchased from Admiral are likely to be different to those on the open market. When you take on the pub your BDM will discuss rent and the tie with you.
To enter into any tenancy agreement with Admiral, you will normally have to consider the following costs:
Personal Licence fee – This is the fee for obtaining your Personal Licence which you will require if you intend to be the Designated Premises Supervisor named on the premises licence.
Fixtures and Fittings (e.g. furniture, kitchen equipment, light
fittings, carpets etc) – These are usually valued on the day you enter the property. Whilst we prefer you to purchase the fixtures and fittings outright, there are occasions where we can provide alternative methods of purchase or may consider a rental agreement. Your BDM will discuss these options with you.
Deposit – The size of the deposit (or security bond) varies depending on the property and the commercial terms agreed but is normally the greater of a quarter’s rent or £5,000 and will be held for the duration of your agreement. In exceptional circumstances, we may allow you to pay a lower deposit and build this up over a time period.
Stock and glassware – These are purchased when you take over your pub, at an agreed valuation, from either the outgoing tenant or Admiral.
Working capital – The amount of working capital required (cash available) varies by pub, as each individual business requires different levels of funding. Your BDM will discuss this with you.
Pre Entry Awareness Training (PEAT) – This is mandatory training designed to raise awareness on the matters involved in operating a pub, from agreements, repairs and purchasing obligations. The cost of this course is £100 plus VAT.
Yes absolutely. We are always keen to encourage successful licensees to develop. Our BDMs work together with our licensees to achieve this and identify new opportunities. We also run training workshops to help you to gain the right skills, so you can take the step from running just one business to expanding with a second pub.
Admiral Taverns accept payment by Direct Debit or Open Banking (Pay by Link) only. Our Business Development Managers will discuss which method is most appropriate for you during the application process.
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