Ribble Lodge, Ribblet

The Ribble Lodge is located in the bustling Ribbleton area, offering a prime opportunity to establish a vibrant community pub. With its proximity to housing estates and small businesses, The Ribble Lodge is ideally positioned to become a focal point for the local community. By offering a welcoming and inclusive environment, the pub can attract residents looking for a place to socialize, relax, and connect with the community. Ribbleton Avenue offers easy access to the pub from Preston City Centre and the M6 motorway. The presence of a bus stop outside the pub provides a direct and convenient connection to Preston City Centre. With a bus service operating every 20 minutes, patrons can rely on regular and reliable public transport.

Pub Layout

Customers are welcomed in to the pub through the double doors to the front left hand side of the pub. Upon entering the large open plan trade area they’ll see the large bar spanning the rear wall of the room. There is a raised seating are to both the left and right hand side of the bar and fixed and loose seating runs the entire width of the room facing the bar. To the right hand side of the pub is the pool room hosting two pool tables with the room having its own ladies and gents toilets and bar servery. Opposite the main entrance is the door to the function room. Again this has its own bar servery and also has a separate entrance and disabled access toilet. The function room is a real asset to the business and can cater for at least 70 people. There is a stage in the function room which can be used for live acts, comedy nights and live music. The rear courtyard beer garden can be accessed through the function room and has a good sized smoking shelter and plenty of seating to enjoy the summer days. Customers can also drink at the front of the pub where benches allow them to watch the world go by whilst enjoying the sunshine.

The Ribble Lodge is a very busy wet only community pub at present but there is scope for a small food offer by utilising the trade kitchen accessed behind the bar. It is a high tempo busy pub catering for daytime drinks, post-work refreshments and the big weekend night out. The pub benefits from having both ladies and mens darts and pool teams during the week accompanied by televised football, showing both BT Sport and Sky Sports. These are an integral part of the business and help draw in a significant number of customers. At the weekend the business focusses on football once again, but also on providing entertainment for a fun night out. Karaoke and the occasional live act bring customers through the door wanting a fun night out and a catch up with friends. The pub caters for a wide customer base, both older and younger generation enjoying their excellent standards, great drinks and warm welcome.

Private Accommodation

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

Annual Rent: £26,000 

Security Deposit: £3,000 – build up option available

Working Capital: £2,000

Stock: £3,000

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.

Finding the right licensee for The Ribble Lodge requires someone with the skill and enthusiasm to manage a bustling pub and drive its growth further. Given the high tempo and busy nature of the pub, the ideal licensee should have previous experience managing similar establishments. While the pub is already in a strong position, there is room for growth that the licensee should be eager to tap into. This includes marketing the function room for events, optimizing the bar line up for profitability, and promoting spirits to increase income. Football and entertainment are essential drivers of footfall for the pub, so a passion for these aspects of the business would be advantageous. The licensee should be enthusiastic about hosting live sports events, organizing entertainment nights, and creating a vibrant atmosphere for patrons. Maintaining strong ties with the local community is crucial for the success of The Ribble Lodge. The licensee should be actively involved in community events, supporting local initiatives, and engaging with residents to ensure the pub remains a valued part of the community.

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 *