The Bear Hotel, 14 South Street, Wareham, BH20 4LT

The Bear is a town centre Grade II* listed hotel which is situated in the centre of Wareham historic High Street. The property has a rich history and is situated in a prominent position overlooking the High Street.

The building provides bar and restaurant facilities as well as boutique ensuite letting rooms, bar, restaurant and function room.

The Bear Hotel is located in Wareham, a quaint and picturesque town on the banks of the River Frome.
To the northwest of the town, Wareham Forest stretches several miles to the A35 road and the southern foothills of the Dorset Downs.

To the southeast is Corfe Castle and the heathland that borders Poole Harbour. About four miles (7 km) to the south are the Purbeck Hills which faces the Isle of Wight to the east, and eight miles (12 km) to the south is the English Channel.

The Bear is located just 17 miles from Poole, providing fantastic transport options; national rail services (London Waterloo), Bournemouth Airport to the east 34 miles and Exeter Airport to the west via the A35, 70 miles. Bristol is 68 miles to the north via the A350/A36.

The delightfully refurbished public areas include: welcoming reception hall, guest library (15), bar/bistro (40) and Green Room (50). Male and Female Wc’s.

Full catering kitchen with chef’s office, dry stores and fridge and freezer facilities.

All trade fixtures and fittings are included; however, some personal items will be removed. Stock at valuation.

The hotel has 11 beautifully refurbished boutique guest bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms. All 11 rooms offer large proportions, tea and coffee making facilities, flat screen televisions and hairdryers. In total there are 11 double rooms, configured as doubles and twins via zip and link beds.

The hotel is set within its own grounds. Approached via the front entrance off South Street with a further secondary access from the rear off Trinity Lane. There is a delightful courtyard terrace and garden situated to the side of the hotel, providing additional space for al fresco dining or drinks.

There is a small car parking space to the rear off Trinity Lane, sufficient parking for one car.

The Bear Hotel has been privately owned and operated in recent years during which the property has undergone significant renovation, refurbishment and redecoration. In this time, they have painstakingly and meticulously built and maintained a truly excellent business, epitomising the essence of a boutique town house hotel. Over the years the hotel has won many prestigious awards and accolades for its atmosphere, food, drink and setting including TripAdvisor's Travellers Choice Awards for 2022 & 2023 along with the Purbecks Business Awards Winner.

The time has come for the next custodian to stamp their own identity on this boutique hotel and take advantage of its renowned reputation. There is opportunity to further expand on the letting accommodation with the development of the cottage to the rear, providing an additional four letting bedrooms.

The hotel operates with a full complement of staff, who will transfer under TUPE. A full staff list can be made available.

We have been provided with the Unaudited Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March 2023 showing net income of £918,000. Further financial information will be provided on completion of an NDA.

To the rear of the hotel is a former two-bedroom cottage which provides the opportunity to add an additional four letting bedrooms to the business.

The property is currently used for storage and provides potential significant upside to the business with the additional bedroom accommodation configured as two bedrooms on the ground and first floors, either as suites or separate letting rooms depending on configuration.

Freehold

Rateable Value: Bear Hotel – 1st April 2023 £38,000

We have been advised; all mains services are connected to the property.