Five Bells, Colne Engaine

Once locally renowned, this pub has all the foundations to reclaim its place as a true village favourite. It should be celebrated for its warm welcome, traditional hospitality, excellent cask ales, a well-considered wine selection, and cracking pub food served at both lunch and dinner. At its heart, this is a quintessential British pub, designed to sit at the centre of village life. This is not a starter pub and would be best suited to an experienced licensee, or a hands-on couple with a strong blend of front-of-house and kitchen expertise. The business benefits from multiple revenue streams and operational elements, requiring a licensee capable of managing a diverse offer while maintaining consistently high standards across food, service, and overall customer experience. Success will depend on effective marketing both within the local community and further afield, keeping the offer fresh, relevant, and appealing through regular menu development, promotions, and events. Strong cost control and confident profit-and-loss management will be essential back-of-house skills, ensuring the business trades efficiently and profitably throughout the year. For the right licensee, this represents an exciting opportunity to run a well-established, food-led community pub with significant potential. With energy, commercial awareness, and a clear vision for local engagement and growth, the business is well positioned to build on its strong reputation and deliver long-term success.

Pub Layout

The main entrance opens directly into a welcoming bar servery, immediately setting the tone for the pub. Adjacent to the bar is a small coffee station, while to the right hand side lies the principal bar area, featuring a pool table, gaming machine, and a varied mix of seating designed primarily for drinkers. This space offers direct access to the patio area, which comfortably accommodates up to 40 outdoor covers, making it ideal for warmer months and informal gatherings. To the left of the entrance, the pub opens out into a more relaxed seating area centred around a wood burner, leading seamlessly into the dining spaces beyond. The dining area is thoughtfully arranged, providing a flexible mix of layouts suitable for both intimate tables and larger group dining. The main dining room is a standout feature full of character and atmosphere creating a warm and engaging setting for customers. Modern customer toilet facilities are conveniently located to the left of the dining area, ensuring ease of access without disrupting the overall flow of the space. Overall, the layout is well considered, with clearly defined yet connected zones that allow the pub to cater comfortably for a wide range of customer occasions, from casual drinks and outdoor socialising to relaxed dining and group celebrations, all within a welcoming and characterful environment.

The pub is a well presented and thoughtfully laid out village local, offering a welcoming, traditional pub atmosphere while delivering a food offer that reaches beyond the immediate village community. It benefits from a strong internal dining space suited to key trading sessions, complemented by an attractive outdoor patio that comes into its own during warmer, sunnier evenings. Currently, food is served from Thursday to Sunday, though there is clear opportunity to expand this offer and extend trading across the week. In particular, the pub would benefit from introducing a clear value-led weekday daytime food proposition to attract custom from nearby pubs, eateries, and local workers. Drinks trade is anchored by popular cask ales, while there is further potential to capture the after-work and early evening market through a stronger range of session beers, alongside a quality and well-balanced selection of wines and spirits that would appeal to village residents. At present, the business is understood to be trading at approximately £4,000–£6,000 per week, with food accounting for around 35–40% of total turnover. With its strong physical assets, village setting, and scope to broaden both food and drink offers, the pub is well placed to grow into a vibrant, food-led community hub with increased weekday and all-day relevance.

Private Accommodation

The private accommodation, accessed from the rear of the property, or through the trade area, consists of two bedrooms, a lounge and bathroom. There is also further space that has in the past been used as an office space. The accommodation is in good condition.

Annual Rent: £26,500

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

Working Capital: £2,000

Stock: £4,500

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 – 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 *

Low Business Rates** – Based on the draft rating list for April 2026, this has been estimated using the new Supporting Small Business Scheme (SSBS) limiting rates payable to circa £1000 in 2026/27. Please note this applies only to pubs marked with ** and SSBS may be subject to future changes by HMG.