Drumbeg Stores and Cottage Drumbeg, Sutherland, Near Lochinver IV27 4NW

DESCRIPTION

Drumbeg Stores is a very popular and well-established licensed village store, greengrocers, delicatessen and craft shop. It benefits from an exceptional trading location on one of the most scenic stretches of the North Coast 500 route. This is ranked amongst the premier road trips in the world and is one of the top reasons people visit Scotland. This thriving independent business trades throughout the 8 month Summer season, serving residents and holidaymakers in surrounding villages with passing custom from the North Coast 500 route. The stores has an enviable location, prominently positioned in the centre of the village with parking located both directly outside and 100 metres away. The business is offered fully furnished and equipped and ready to run as a 'walk in' profitable opportunity to a buyer. It has a beautifully finished and well-designed sales area utilising a range of bespoke wood storage, metal shelving units, cold display units and display stands. The sales counter sits just inside the main entrance along with an attractive well-stocked delicatessen counter and bakery section. The shop premises are easily adaptable.

The store has adjoining 3-bedroom owners' accommodation with private entrances. Both the cottage and shop enjoy beautiful scenic views over Loch Drumbeg to the front and from the top of the small rise behind there are fantastic sea views. The cottage comprises 1 single and 2 double bedrooms, a newly fitted kitchen, a spacious living room and a family bathroom.

TRADE

The stores has traded for well over a century and under the current owners since 2009. The business has a robust and well proven trading format with considerable traction behind it and a solid reputation. The business has always traded profitably under current ownership.
The shop is independent and operates free of monthly minimum spend obligations to suppliers. It has a well-established and robust supply chain. It sells a broad range of products from general groceries to Highland speciality foods and drinks, books and arts and crafts. Running the business is uncomplicated and easily managed by owners without additional staff. Training in running the business will be provided by the owners after handover.
This is a successful business that holds exciting future potential for business growth with the expanding interest in tourism in the north-west of Scotland. Potential owners might give consideration to extending services to include hot drinks and snacks and extending trading times.
Drumbeg Stores has historically operated on restricted hours during the winter and currently closes for the winter season to afford the owners a better life / work balance.

Summer opening hours are April to November:
Monday to Friday: 10am - 5.30pm
Saturday: 10am - 4pm
Sunday: 12pm - 4pm (in June, July & August)

The current owners take irregular holidays off within these trading times. If they were
worked and trading hours extended to a more regular 9am to 5:30pm Monday to Saturday
(as well as Sundays in June, July and August) there is potential available to significantly increase trading in the summer season.

REASON FOR SALE

This fantastic business and lifestyle opportunity comes to the market due to owners' retirement. The current owners purchased the property in 2009 and have traded successfully every year since.

LOCATION

Drumbeg is an idyllic Highland village nestled in a spectacular setting between Loch Drumbeg and the sea on Scotland's north-west coast. The village sits within the Assynt-Coigach Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and within the UNESCO designated North-West Highlands Geopark. The area is renowned for the incredible diversity of its natural beauty and wildlife proliferates in the largely pristine environments. The low altitude coupled with the moderating influence of a warm ocean current affords the coastal fringe a more pleasant climate than latitude suggests. Spectacular sandy beaches with turquoise seas sit in juxtaposition with inland mountains that rise like sentinels over expansive rugged wild uplands. Opportunities for enjoying natural beauty, wildlife and all outdoor activities in the immediate area are amongst the best in the UK. The area also has a strong cultural heritage. These things combine to make Drumbeg a wonderful place to live and work. It also makes the area a very popular visitor destination. In particular the North Coast 500 tourist route passes through the village and brings visitors from around the world. Drumbeg sits on one of the most scenic stretches of this route, roughly mid-way between Lochinver and Kylesku.

Lochinver (14 miles) has a primary school, NHS doctors surgery with dentist and physiotherapist and mobile bank. Ullapool has a high school and wider public services. Free school transport is provided by the Highland Council. Public bus and taxi services also operate to Drumbeg and the village has a visiting post office.

THE COTTAGE

Owners accommodation comprises of an extremely attractive, well presented, comfortably equipped three bedroom, 1.5 storey traditional stone cottage. It is fully modernised & refurbished to a fantastic standard. This property offers a modern stylish ambience combined with comfort and stunning views. The property sits over 2 floors with a total internal area of around 87m².
The cottage has a delightful spacious open ground floor living area with vestibule and external door. The living area benefits from oak flooring, cosy solid fuel fire and spectacular views over Loch Drumbeg. There is a high quality newly fitted kitchen with porcelain tile flooring & built in appliances. The kitchen has a second front door. There is a family bathroom with traditional toilet & basin suite, bath & shower over. The hall connects all rooms & has an under-stair cupboard and an internal door leading through to Drumbeg Stores. On the first floor is a large double bedroom. To the left is a single bedroom which is currently being utilised as an office. A storage cupboard is located further along the hall before entering the second double bedroom. All first floor rooms boast outstanding views over the waters of Loch Drumbeg and to wild lands designated as a Geopark and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty beyond.

THE RETAIL UNIT

The property utilises a good range of shelving, free-standing units and displays including a specialised deli counter. The main sales counter is at the entrance. Further into the store there is shelving and merchandised racking including refrigeration and freezer units. The layout provides practical control of the sales area facilitating good customer service. At the rear of the shop there is a storage room, with fridge, storage shelving & a basin & taps. The total conditioned area is around 36m².

GROUNDS

Externally the shop front benefits from elevated customer seating areas with table benches & umbrellas. To one side there is a summer house (seasonally used as a fresh produce sales space) which is fronted by raised decking with more seating. At the side a large shed is available for storage space to supplement the internal storage room inside the shop.
There is a small & easily maintained terraced rear garden. Stone steps rise to the highest level.
There is a greenhouse & double arbour seat at the top level. The garden is deer fenced & protected by wind shielding on one side.

SERVICES

The cottage benefits from mains electricity, mains water and mains drainage. There is oil fired central heating & hot water, with a 2000 litre heating oil storage tank in the rear garden.
Wifi is available throughout the property. Broadband speed is circa 20Mbps. The area benefits from a good 4G signal from a new mast in the village.