Downham Home & Garden, Stonecross Lane, Downham Market, Norfolk, United Kingdom, PE38 0AD

We are instructed to offer for sale the well-established and already profitable Downham Home & Garden business.

This is an excellent opportunity for a new owner to further develop a solid reputable business, well located on a major A road and close to the planned development of c.390 new houses in nearby Downham Market. Suitable for an existing multiple operator to operate with the existing management team or by a ‘hands on’ owner operator.

The Property is well located in a prominent position set back from the eastern side of the A10 trunk road, c.1.8 miles from Downham Market which lies between Kings Lynn and Ely, in north-west Norfolk.
The Property is in a rural area and is adjacent to an American themed diner (Arbuckles) and a petrol station.
The emerging Local Development Plan for Downham Market includes two sites close to the centre which have a total allocation of 390 houses.
Downham benefits from being 39 miles west of Norwich and 30 miles north of Cambridge and has an immediate population of c.11,000 (2015), a good range of services serving both the local and wider rural population.
Downham Country Home & Garden is the main garden centre business with the nearest significant competition being in Kings Lynn & Peterborough.
According to the latest census data there are over 272,001 people living within a 25 kilometer radius of the garden centre, with the data highlighting favourable local demographics with above UK average home ownership and owner occupied housing.

The total site area is 5.96 acres which provides plenty of space to develop further revenue streams. Road access from the A10 ensures a steady flow of customers from all over Norfolk and even Lincolnshire. The entrance is highly visible via an illuminated ‘totum pole’ sign on a lane over which the garden centre has an easement (£500 pa).
The main garden centre comprises a single storey glasshouse of steel framed construction and various extensions containing:

A large covered display area leading off the internal sales area, ample open sales display area with various external shed display areas and external public toilets.

The ‘Greenhouse Restaurant’ is a160 cover restaurant overlooking the plant sales area, with hot food service counter, commercial kitchen, walk in refrigerator & freezer storage.

Well kempt shingle parking for 100 vehicles where a hand car wash is operated with grassed overflow field that virtually doubles the car park capacity.

A large area is let to Cabins Unlimited – a garden building retailer.

Car wash – a small area of the car park has been developed is used by a car wash operator (licence to occupy).

A two-bedroom self-contained bungalow with large garden is included at the front of the site. it is currently occupied by a family members but could be let on an assured shorthold tenancy to increase revenue generated by the site.

The property is screened from the centre and car park with tall fencing and a mature hedge. It offers 95 square meters (1022sqft) of living accommodation including 2 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, bathroom and conservatory. EPC rating E

Downham Home & Garden began trading over 15 years ago as a small nursery.

Like many garden centres it has grown organically under the stewardship of our client and their family through the gradual addition of land, buildings,
and income streams. They have reluctantly decided to sell the garden centre in order to concentrate on other business interests.

Like most garden centres, Downham Home & Garden has thrived during the Covid pandemic and remains very profitable despite the restaurant being forced to close for a significant
portion of the year. The buyer will no doubt benefit from any post Covid ‘bounce’.

There is untapped potential should the buyer
pursue the introduction of aquatics, a farm
shop, children’s play and associated café, main restaurant extension, equipment hire and builders merchants.

The centre operates with a full complement of staff. Full details of the organisational structure and staffing information and costs can be supplied to serious purchasers upon request.

Turnover 2023 - £1,987,247
Gross Profit 2023 - £1,010,757
Adjusted Net Profit 2023 - £147,294

Turnover 2022 - £1,872,252
Gross Profit 2022 - £815,121
Adjusted Net Profit 2022 - £191,328

Monday – Saturday
9am – 5pm

Sunday
10.00am – 4.00pm

If sold on a freehold basis the purchaser would purchase all land held on the titles titles NK166021 and NK166711 (the bungalow).

If sold on a leasehold basis it is anticipated that the purchaser would enter a new 25 year term.