The Red Lion High Street, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8

The Red Lion is a historic pub and for many years was the largest and most important licensed house in the Dorset town of Gillingham. It occupies a large site that comprises a main drinking and sports bar at the front of the pub, with a toilet block and cellar in the middle, and a very large games and pool bar to the rear.

There is a good sized enclosed garden and patio and a large car park to the rear that currently has a coin operated barrier for entry and exit. On the first floor, as well as extensive private accommodation, there is an impressive function room area that is currently disused and is available for development in the future.

We are keen to make a major investment on this site to repositon the pub. There is also an adjoining cottage to the pub which is available for sub let or staff accommodation.

Gillingham is a busy and growing town in North Dorset. It has been the subject of much housing development in the last 10 years and one of the key reasons behind this is the main line railway station on the Exeter to London Waterloo line.

In recent years Waitrose, Asda, Lidl and Costa have all moved into the town and there is currently much activity underway with regard to the regeneration of the town's High Street. In the middle of the High Street, sits the Red Lion and there is a bridge link leading off the pub's car park to the back of Waitrose.

The pub is ideally situated to make the best return from a potential investment and can only go from strength to strength as the town continues to grow and develop.

Top Line Figures
Rent: 9% of turnover
Initial Investment: £60,000 (negotiable)
Fair Maintainable Trade* (FMT) Turnover: £650,000
Full Investment Breakdown ?
Deposit: £7,500
Training Fee: £650
Working Capital: £10,000
Fixtures & Fittings: £40,000
Additional Information
Estimated Wet/Dry Split: currently 100% wet - envisaged to be 60%/40% post investment
Available From: Summer 2025

The domestic accommodation comprises of 4 bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room, bathroom and separate WC, and an office.

Trade

The Red Lion has, for several years, been a very successful wet only pub, trading on a late licence until 2am at weekends and doing the vast majority of its total trade after 5.00 pm each day. A vodka and shots bar proves very popular at weekends, with live sport being a key element of the current business. The back room is well used for pool and has a large drop down TV. Machine income is also significant in this business.

In recent years, other pubs in the town have started to 'attack' the late night drinking trade enjoyed by the Red Lion and it is our intention to carry out a significant refurbishment on the site to reposition it as an all round town pub offering food during the day and a variety of entertainment in the evenings. The pub has sufficient size and scope to achieve this and if successful, it will be impossible for the smaller pubs in the town (free houses) to respond.

As part of our investment, we will be putting in the infrastructure to support an experiential gaming offer.


"This is a fantastic opportunity for an enthusiastic, experienced business operator looking for a chance to reinvigorate this popular high street pub. With a significant investment scheme, we are looking for a partner that will take the lead on building an exciting new concept with a focus on experiential hospitality."

Scott Rhodes-Ward

Business Development Partner, South West Region