Sheldan Inn, Welwyn Garden City

An exciting opportunity with one of Admiral Taverns flag ship pubs, the Sheldan Inn, which underwent a major refurbishment with a contemporary re-fit just last year. Situated in the town of Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire located just 20 miles from London with excellent transport links to the capital. Welwyn Garden City was the second garden city in England and one of the first new towns. The Sheldan is a family friendly pub offering food all day, TV Sport and regular live entertainment. The building is a prominent corner property on the purpose built Haldans shopping parade. The locality comprises three individual housing areas ranging from high-end private dwellings to fair quality council housing and a population of approximately 50,000.

Pub Layout

The retail space has been optimised to a high level, by creating an open versatile trading area for value diners and drinkers with families. The new look has created distinct areas for diners, drinkers, games and a function room, whilst retaining an open feel and flow throughout the pub. The design of each area creates a relaxed and cosy feel with a range of seating and sofas. A new purpose built commercial kitchen is of a good size and able to cope with a high volume food offer with over 50 covers. The new function room with its own bar, is perfect for business meetings of up to 50 and accommodates parties up to a 100. It already holds Jazz Clubs on a lunch time and is used by local councillors for meetings.

The Sheldan is currently offering a varied and traditional pub style menu, and a lot of the lunch trade comes from the surrounding businesses. The bar offers a selection of beers, ciders, wines and caters for the growing spirit trade with gins and whiskeys. Weekends are busy with tribute acts and live entertainment which are very popular amongst the locals. To protect the local community from noise all windows have double/triple glazing and we have recently installed air conditioning to ensure a comfortable environment during the busy entertainment evenings. The Sheldan has a strong online presence with a fantastic website www.sheldaninn.co.uk and a growing number of “followers” on social media.

Private Accommodation

The private accommodation is situated on the first floor and consist of three bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom, separate toilet & lounge all decorated to a high standard.

Annual Rent: £22,500

Security Deposit: £5,000

Working Capital: £5,000

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.

We are looking for someone with a wealth of experience, along with a proven track record of implementing and running a successful food offer in a community pub. You’ll be passionate about delivering a quality value food and drink offer in an environment that keeps people coming back time and time again.

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 *