Craster, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66

LOCATION

With a cluster of attractive stone cottages centred on a small harbour, and within easy walking distance of Dunstanburgh Castle, Craster is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors throughout the year. The village has a well established herring curing business; Craster Kippers are known worldwide. The Robson & Sons Fish Smokery with seafood restaurant and the Jolly Fisherman Public House are popular venues with tourists, day-trippers and walkers. The village lies on the Northumberland coast path and is a 15 minute drive from the A1 at Alnwick, 7 miles to the south-west. There is single road access into the village, which beyond the Quarry Car Park, is restricted to residents' use only. Visitors are therefore directed to park in the Quarry Car Park, providing pay and display facilities for around 80 cars. The former Tourist Information Office sits at the entrance to this car park. This unit forms approximately one half of a single storey building, dating from (truncated)

DESCRIPTION

The building is of traditional construction, with stone walls and a pitched and tiled roof, incorporating an attractive feature lantern light. There is customer access on both sides of the unit, with timber framed double glazed windows to two frontages. Internally, the unit is arranged to provide an open customer area, with a counter and perspex screen separating this area from an office, with small kitchen and staff w.c. off. The unit has plastered and painted walls, with some fitted cupboards and display panels. The floor is part tiled/part carpeted. Heating is provided by floor mounted electric convector heaters. There is a mix of recessed LED lighting and spotlights on tracks. The counter and fitted cupboards could be removed if required. There is a wall mounted server cabinet in the office. The IT equipment is to remain and Northumberland County Council will require occasional access, on reasonable notice, for maintenance purposes.

ACCOMMODATION

We have measured the property as providing a gross internal floor area of 52.40 sqm (544 sq ft). External space may be available for display purposes or seating.

PLANNING/USE

The former use of the premises as a tourist information office or visitor centre is in a class of its own. The unit would be suitable for a variety of uses such as retail, café, craft workshop and office. Planning consent would be required for any change of use.

SERVICES

We understand that mains electricity, water and drainage are connected to the property. There is no gas supply.

RENT

£15,00

per annum (subject to negotiation depending on use). Rent will be payable monthly in advance and exclusive of business rates (if payable).

LEASE TERMS

The lease is to be drawn on internal repairing (including windows and doors) and insuring terms for a term of five years, with provision for an upwards only rent review at the end of the third year of the term, in line with the movement in Retail Price Index (RPI). Northumberland County Council will insure the building and maintain the exterior, with a fair proportion of the costs recovered through a service charge. The grant of use of any external area would be by a separate negotiation and pavement licence and not included with the lease.

BUSINESS RATES

The property is assessed for Business Rates as follows:

Description:

Office & premises

Rateable Value:

£3,750. It is envisaged that most occupiers will benefit from Small Business Rates Relief if this is their only commercial premises. In this situation it is unlikely that Business Rates will be payable. However, interested parties should make enquiries direct with the Local Authority to establish the current business rates payable.

VAT

The property is not registered for VAT and therefore VAT will not be payable on the rent.

VIEWING

Strictly by appointment with sole agents youngsRPS Newcastle office Tel: Contact Michael Blake e-mail: michael. or Chris Pattison e-mail: chris.

LEGAL COSTS

The tenant is to pay 2% of the annual rent amount as a contribution towards the Council's legal and surveyor's costs..

LOCAL AUTHORITY

Northumberland County Council, County Hall, Morpeth, NE61 2EF. Tel: All figures quoted above are exclusive of VAT where chargeable. ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE The property has an EPC Rating of C-52. A copy of the Energy Performance Certificate and Recommendation Report is available on request.