Sugar Loaf, Meppershall

The Sugar Loaf is a two storey, corner plot building located in the heart of a growing village on the main High Street through road. Close by is the busy A507 that links the M1 with the A1 via several towns & villages. The closest is Shefford with shops, bars, restaurants, a Morrisons Superstore, schools & is a heavily densified, growing residential areas. The village has doubled in size over the last few years with several new private estates, with more planned. Apart from a small convenience store, a bakers & a village social club, the pub is the only other facility in the village.

The pub has been with the same tenant for approx. 5+ years, who has decided to move on to pastures new, but has rebuilt the trade & invested in the property.

Pub Layout

Externally, there is a small parking area for circa 10 vehicles. Part of the car park has been taken to add room for further external drinking & eating. A stretch tent has been installed in this area & fitted with good quality fixtures & fitting, including heating & lighting for year round use. Adjacent to this is a permanent covered area with further seating, heating & lighting.

The pub internally is open plan but with two separate trading areas. Both have entrances from outside. Although food is served in both areas, one of the areas is more dedicated to the food offer & more formal. The other is more wet led with higher tables & bar stools.

The bar is accessible from both areas & is a good size. Behind the bar is access to the recent refurbished & upgraded kitchen. Good quality & recently refurbished toilets service both trading areas

At present the sugar Loaf has a good premium drinks offer including a range of wines & premium spirits and is supported by a traditional pub food menu. The current split is approximately 70/30. However as the village has grown, as too has the custom in recent years. Occasional weekend entertainment & themed nights have been well supported previously.

Private Accommodation

The private accommodation is all on the first floor and includes, lounge, bathroom and three bedrooms.

Annual Rent: £33,500

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.

A planned refurbishment of both inside & externally of the pub will give the right applicant a great chance to embed themselves in the community & build a thriving sustainable business. With the pub looking great & the enthusiasm of new licensees driving sales within the community, we can only see success for this ever growing village.

The Sugar Loaf could suit either an experienced community focused couple with good catering skills or someone new to the trade, willing to get involved in the village & build on local events, charity support & community involvement. Good business acumen & recognising a great opportunity to build a successful business could also suit a first timer to this particular trade.

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 *