Block Cafe & Restaurant, Taunton, Somerset, TA1

THE PROPERTY
Block was completely purpose fitted in 2023 and provides an excellent operating environment purposefully designed as a comfortable and modern daytime café and restaurant, within lockup town centre premises. Operating deliberately restricted day time only opening hours, the well-presented premises offer new owners the opportunity to purchase an established and highly desirable catering business, which still offers undoubted opportunities for incoming operators to extend the opening hours, adapt and develop an alternative style of trade to suit their requirements, and to develop an evening offering, if so desired. The premises briefly comprise:- Main Customer Seating Area comfortably for 25 customers with fully equipped open plan theatre style Commercial Catering Kitchen Area and extensive Ancillary and Welfare facilities. Outside to the front the business benefits from Alfresco Seating for 30 customers and to the rear there is dedicated parking. An internal inspection is highly recommended in order to fully appreciate all that this versatile and easy to run catering business has to offer.

SITUATION
Block occupies a busy high footfall town centre trading position on Magdalene Lane, which links East Street to St. Mary's Church, within the heart of Taunton. The excellent trading location is within the immediate vicinity of a number of renowned national retailers and is well placed to benefit from the considerable commercial advantages of other complimentary businesses, office and residential developments together with the nearby Somerset cricket ground. Taunton is the county town of Somerset, and a principal administrative centre nestled between the Quantock, Blackdown and Brendon Hills. With a growing district population of over 110,000 and a catchment population of over 338,000 within a 30-minute drive, the town has convenient access to junction 25 of the M5 motorway.

INTERNAL DETAILS
Ground Floor
Impressive glazed double fronted unit with glazed entrance door leading into Main Café/Restaurant Area an attractive customer dining area with a modern style having wood effect flooring, part wood panelled walls, feature lighting, breakfast bar and freestanding wooden topped tables and chairs comfortably seating 25 customers. Bespoke Customer Servery and Coffee Station with preparation counter, cake display, Expobar 2 group commercial coffee machine, coffee grinder, hot water boiler, under counter bottle fridge, under counter storage, and display shelving. Commercial Catering Kitchen completely open plan and theatre style and fitted with a range of commercial catering kitchen specifically for the current trade to include: - extraction system with stainless steel canopy, 2 induction hobs, bain-marie, flat top plancha, Turbofan commercial oven, twin deep bowl stainless steel sink unit, ice machine, commercial dishwasher, stainless steel preparation benches with shelving below, under counter freezer, microwave oven, stainless steel shelving, 3 under counter fridges, stainless steel handbasin, serving gantry with warming lamps, commercial toaster, non-slip flooring, part stainless steel clad and part tiled walls. Rear Lobby with stairs to the first floor and a door to the rear service area.

First Floor
Customer WC with baby changing facilities. Storage Area and Office Space with potential for additional customer seating with wood effect flooring, 2 chest freezers and an upright fridge. Former Kitchen with non-slip flooring, currently used for storage and preparation space. Dry Goods Store with perimeter shelving and an upright fridge. Staff WC.

EXTERNAL DETAILS
The business benefits from having Outside Customer Seating with folding tables and chairs for up to 30 customers directly to the front. To the rear of the premises is a Bin Store Area and Dedicated Parking.

THE BUSINESS
Block is a popular and well-regarded and easy to run catering business with a strong following, which trades as a daytime café and coffee shop. Enjoying an excellent reputation for its quality homemade food, and ambiance, Block boasts a loyal regular customer base. This appealing day time only catering business offers a popular and interesting menu which sets itself apart from its competitors. The easy to prepare menu is available to eat in or takeaway to include breakfast, brunch, morning coffee, lunch and a selection of hot and cold beverages. The business has been awarded a 5 Star Food Hygiene Rating and boasts numerous 5-star reviews on Google and Tripadvisor, together with an established social media presence. The business is run by our clients (each on a part time basis) with the assistance of 1 full time member of staff. The sale of Block offers a unique opportunity to purchase a well-regarded 'turnkey' business with an excellent reputation and yet it still offers tremendous potential for new owners to put their own stamp on the business and for further growth and development. New owners will be able to move in and start trading, without the need for any additional expenditure.

TRADING INFORMATION
Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2024 show growing sales in the order of £120,000 including VAT, from the current limited opening hours. Full detailed trading information can be made available to interested parties following a formal viewing appointment.

OPENING HOURS
The business trades deliberately restricted open hours of just 4 days per week, through personal choice and in order to fit in with our clients' lifestyle and other business interests. The business trades from 8.30am until 2.30pm Wednesday to Saturday. The business is closed on Sunday's, Monday's and Tuesday's.

POTENTIAL
Our clients advise that there is significant potential to increase the current trade levels with undoubted opportunities to extend the opening hours, by opening additional days and also by offering an evening service, particularly at weekends. There is also the opportunity for incoming operators to extend the current menu, and also to develop an alternative style of trade to suit their own personal requirements and take advantage of the quality fit out. There are undoubted opportunities to develop the takeaway trade and utilise online delivery platforms, which is not currently done by our clients. There is also the potential to increase the seating capacity with the potential to relocate the kitchen to the first floor and increase the ground floor seating area. Given the busy city centre trading position, we believe that Block represents an excellent opportunity to purchase a popular daytime catering business with an excellent reputation and tremendous potential for future growth. Our clients are prepared to offer a hand over period and menu training to interested parties should they need it.

EPC
B - 41.

SERVICES
We are advised that all mains' services, except mains gas, are connected to the premises.

PRICE & TENURE
£45,000 for the valuable leasehold interest as a going concern business and full trade inventory. Wet and dry stocks to be additional at valuation. Vacant possession upon completion. We understand that the landlord is prepared to grant a new 7-year lease with repairing and insuring obligations. The proposed rent is £20,000 per annum, for years 1-3; £22,000 per annum for years 4-5; and £24,000 per annum for years 6 and 7. Rent is payable quarterly in advance. VAT is payable on the rent. A rent deposit will be required.