The Castaway Fish and Chip Shop, King Street, Nairn, IV12 4BQ

DESCRIPTION
The Castaway Fish & Chip shop is situated within a detached, purpose-built unit and presents a modern and attractive business proposition. Established by the current owners in 2019, it is set in a prominent trading location within the vibrant and thriving Highland community of Nairn. The building has hosted food establishments since the 1980s, previously being First Place pizza and originally the much-revered Wooden Spoon café.

This thriving business is well respected in the town and surrounding area. Currently the two Directors run the business from a supervisory position employing a management team and other staff for the day-to-day operation. This approach works well although a new owner may prefer to be onsite full time.

The trading space is well designed with a clever, streamlined preparation and production line. As such, excellent profits are generated.

TRADE
This family run business specialises in classic fish & chips and fresh homemade pizza. During the winter months, the takeaway is open 6 days a week with the staff enjoying a Monday off. Opening hours are 16:00 to 20:00 with deliveries starting from 17:00. During summer the opening hours and delivery availability increases due to the large increase in tourist footfall.

Deliveries are available to local areas such as Auldearn, Cawdor, Ardersier and Piperhill subject to a minimum spend of £10. All deliveries are charged. The business also utilises Just Eat which is a very popular ordering platform for them.

The three Kia delivery vehicles are included in the sale. They are all well maintained with the two sign written vehicles benefitting from a 7-year warranty. The 2017 model, although in good condition, is no longer under warranty. Each vehicle has a valid MOT.

The business appreciates their local, loyal and regular customer base and rewards them with a Loyalty Scheme and many special offers throughout the week. Recently the business invested in a new till system and website.

STAFFING
Currently the Directors have a management team and staff running the business.

LOCATION
Nairn, a picturesque coastal town in the Scottish Highlands, is fast emerging as a prime location for business growth and investment due to large scale developments locally. With its stunning seaside setting, strong community spirit, and excellent connectivity, the town offers a unique blend of lifestyle benefits and commercial opportunities, making it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs, local businesses, and investors alike.
One of Nairn's biggest strengths is its strategic location. Situated just a short drive from Inverness, the town benefits from easy access to major transport links, including Inverness Airport, the A96 corridor, and rail connections to Scotland's central belt. This accessibility makes Nairn an appealing choice for businesses looking to operate in a tranquil setting while remaining well-connected to larger markets.
The local economy is diverse, with tourism, retail, food and drink, and professional services playing key roles. The town's reputation as a sought-after holiday destination means that hospitality and tourism-based businesses thrive, from boutique hotels and self-catering properties to independent restaurants, cafes and takeaways showcasing the best of Highland produce. Nairn's renowned golf courses, sandy beaches, and cultural events attract visitors year-round, providing businesses with a steady stream of customers.
Support for commercial development in Nairn is strong, with various initiatives aimed at fostering local enterprise. Business networking groups, funding opportunities, and digital infrastructure improvements have made it easier for entrepreneurs to establish and grow their ventures. The rise of remote working has also brought fresh opportunities, with professionals choosing to relocate to Nairn to enjoy a better work-life balance while maintaining connections with global clients.

With its natural beauty, strong community engagement, and business-friendly environment, Nairn is proving to be more than just a coastal retreat. It's a place where businesses can flourish, ideas can take root, and investment can bring long-term rewards. For those looking to start, grow, or relocate their business, Nairn offers the perfect combination of opportunity and quality of life.

REASON FOR SALE
After making The Castaway the success it is, the owners wish to pass the business on to new owners and focus on other business interests.

THE PROPERTY
The business is situated in a detached single storey purpose-built unit. The building has rendered blockwork walls, a felt roof and high-quality signage on the facia. The business owners have renovated and maintained the building to a good standard over the years. The business is ideally located at Nairn bus terminus (formerly bus station) beside the fire station, community centre and residential flats. It is known locally as "The hub of Nairn".

The front of the building contains picture windows and glass doors set into the rendered finish. This facilitates great advertising with considerable signage and branding on show. Although the custom logo and branding are not for sale, a new owner can keep the name as 'The Castaway' and rebrand easily.

On entering the property, the customer is welcomed into the main sales area with the serving counter, till and a large drinks fridge. The area was recently decorated and is fresh and clean with modern tiles and flooring. Customer benches are located outside the building for customers to sit and enjoy their food.

The staff entry to the building on the left-hand end via a lobby. This lobby also serves as a laundry area having a fitted washing machine and tumble dryer. From the lobby there is a secure internal door leading to a corridor with access to a cleaning cupboard, WC and walk-in cold store. The walk-in cold store has just been fitted with a brand new "Long Life" compressor unit after the previous unit had come to the end of its 15 year lifetime. From the lobby there is a large open plan but well-defined main business area housing the pizza area consisting of a pass through industrial double pizza oven and a large pizza preparation area complete with refrigerated work surface. Next to the pizza area is the chip shop main production area and shop servery area. The range is manufacturer by Kiremko, having 3 frying pans and 3 showcase cabinets for customer self-selection. Beyond that there is a small office with two freezers (one of which is a large double door freezer) and one fridge, stainless steel portable work surfaces, two microwaves and other ancillary equipment. The walls are fitted with a royal blue marbled wet wall system which provide an aesthetically pleasing yet wipeable and hygienic finish. The property is well arranged, maintained to a high standard, extremely clean and serviceable.

To the far right of the building is another area which was previously used as a takeaway coffee bar. This could be reinstated or used for alternative purposes. The current owner has been approached by another business which may want to sublet this area. However, discussions are in their infancy and details can be shared with interested parties.

To the far left of the property, there is an external area with 2 sheds, one contains the potato preparation area and the other which has just been fitted with a new weathertight roof is for general storage. Both are contained within a locked fenced area which also houses the waste bins.

GROUNDS
The business is situated in a central point in the town of Nairn, within walking distance of the town centre and beach. There is significant free parking and space outside for customer to park right outside the takeaway. Picinic benches and waste bins are situated on the pavement outside the shop for customers' use.

SERVICES
Mains electricity, water and drainage. The property benefits from an electric hot water cylinder. All windows are single glazed and can be opened from the top for better ventilation in the warm summer months. The business is fully fire compliant and meets all environmental health requirements.