Drummond Arms, Southampton

The Drummond Arms is a large community pub, located in a prominent position on the corner of Welbeck Avenue and Somerset Road in Portswood, Southampton. The pub is situated in a densely populated area of Southampton, very close to the Southampton University campus and also Southampton Common. The pub is surrounded by residential housing, with a mixture of private and student occupiers.  Architecturally there are some nice touches with oval arches through to the games area and matching window lattices.

Pub Layout

The main trade area of the Drummond is spacious and dominated by the central bar servery, visible to the customer from the front entrance. There is a games area to the right rear of the bar  with pool table, gaming machines and darts board which is regularly utilised by the local darts team. The trade kitchen is conveniently accessed  through a door to the right of the bar. There is a fantastic beer garden at the back of the pub, arguably one of the best in Southampton, which is accessible from the games area and front trade room. The garden is a huge asset, with a raised lawn, terrace barbeque area and additional terraced space with pergola and bench seating lower down.

The Drummond is a predominantly wet-led pub with a clientele of local regulars & students where everyone is always welcome. Good home-made pub food is served, and the outstanding Sunday roast is good value and very popular with returning customers. With an approximate 80/20 wet/food split, the retail offer is focused students and locals with 3 HD TV screens showing as much live sport as possible on including FA Premier League, rugby & internationals. Pub sports teams and quiz nights are regular favourites at this popular venue as well as a busy calendar full of events.

Private Accommodation

The private accommodation is very spacious and comprises three bedrooms, lounge, bathroom, kitchen and office.

Annual Rent: £25,000

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 seeking an experienced, community focussed licensee, who will be able to connect with the locals and also the student population in Portswood . They will also need to have the ability to unlock the untapped growth potential for wet sales and further develop the food offer, with a new and exciting menu. There is also huge potential to grow the food and drink sales from the secluded and well maintained beer garden. The Drummond Arms is a fantastic opportunity to become the hub of the local community, as well as the go to pub for students living in the Portswood Area.

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 *