Leather Bottle, Wellingborough

Admiral Taverns are looking for a passionate, community-driven licensee ready to take a beautiful, already successful pub to the next level. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys being at the heart of their local community and knows how to create a welcoming, vibrant atmosphere both in-house and online through smart use of social media and local marketing. The ideal licensee will take pride in delivering a high-quality drinks offer, with a genuine love of great beers and ales, exceptional customer service, and high standards throughout. There’s real scope to build on the pub’s strong foundations by introducing and promoting popular events such as quiz nights, live music and themed evenings, driving steady, repeat trade throughout the week. For the right person, this is a rewarding opportunity to put your own stamp on a standout pub and grow a thriving, community-focused business.

Located in Irtlingborough, the Leather Bottle sits in a residential area with plenty of houses surrounding the pub just outside the town centre. Irtlingborough sits on the River Nene just outside of Wellingborough, a market town in North Northamptonshire. With a population of  8900 Irthlingborough was initially the smallest town in England to have a football league team before the promotion of Forest Green Rovers in 2017.  Surrounded by natural beauty with the Irthlingborough lakes & meadows owned by the Wildlife Trust and the numerous factories and logistics companies with a long history connected to Whitworths and Dr. Martens, the town is used by commuters for employment via the direct routes on the A45 or the A6.

Pub Layout

The trading area is all on the ground floor with an open plan style. As you enter the front door the toilets are to the left, entrance to the large garden is directly in front of you and the bar is on your right. There is a horseshoe shaped bar that accommodates the main trade area and an additional pool room to the side which is open to viewing from the main bar area.

The area in front of the very useful outside bar is covered, so can be used 365 days a year. The garden area is large and can seat 60+ people.

The Leather Bottle is a popular drinks focused pub and in the last few years has been refurbished to a very high standard to include an an outside bar. The pub has a pool and darts team, regular live TV sports and weekly music entertainment to entice the locals and ensure it is at the hub of the community. A great blended drinks offer is available and bar snacks also prove a popular addition.

Private Accommodation

The private accommodation consists of three bedrooms, living room kitchen and bathroom.

Annual Rent: £22,000, starting rent available  £1 per week for the first eight weeks

Security Deposit: we will match your deposit amount when you have been on site for 12 weeks

Working Capital: £3,500

Stock: £3,000

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

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.

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.