New County Hotel, 44, Southgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 2DR

Acquired by the current owners in 2015, the hotel has undergone some major refurbishment and changes since then and now offers a turnkey business situated in the centre of this vibrant and popular city. Offering 58 ensuite rooms of varying sizes from doubles, twins, single and family rooms, it caters for all.

Recently opened on the ground floor is a new bar which has stylish décor with modern but retro touches and offers a fabulous place to unwind and relax with a drink. Open plan areas for groups or cosy corners and booths for a more intimate drink, it's been a popular watering hole since its opening in early 2025.

The hotel currently operates a room-only business which offers some great profit margins, however, this could be changed into a more full service offering with F&B should one wish.

The hotel is situated on Southgate Street, one of four streets that join at a cross making the High Street. This central position places it within walking distance of several key attractions:

• Gloucester Cathedral – approximately a 5-minute walk
• Gloucester Docks – around 5 minutes on foot
• National Waterways Museum – less than a 10-minute walk
• Gloucester Folk Museum – about 5 minutes away
• Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet – roughly a 10-minute walk
• Gloucester Rugby Ground – approximately a 10-minute walk

The hotel is also conveniently situated near public transportation meaning it is easily accessible by train from London, Birmingham, Bristol, and Cardiff (Gloucester Railway Station – approximately a 10-minute walk). Connected by the M5 motorway and local bus services (Gloucester Bus Station – about an 8-minute walk) and serves as a gateway to the Cotswolds and South Wales.

The new university campus, due to open in September 2025, is looking to hold some 4,000 students. The creation of the new university campus will significantly increase demand in the town, and is one of a few major projects in the area, another being a £1 billion project for a new cyber park between Gloucester and Cheltenham which will utilise the area in connection with GCHQ. It is set to be one of the country's leading organisations to combat cyber crime. A new office complex has just been built in Gloucester City Centre. At over £200 million, it is nearing completion. Fasthosts, an IT hosting company, are taking up a vast amount of office space there providing further jobs and in turn a requirement for staff and contractors to stay, drink and eat locally.

Internally, the hotel is of sizeable proportions and arranged over four floors and around a courtyard to the rear offering mews or coach house-style rooms.

On the ground floor is Harvey's Bar, a recently refurbished and stylish bar offering a place for drinking and networking. It was opened to the public in early 2025 and has enjoyed good trade since. The current offering is drink and light snacks, but there is certainly scope to increase further trade and to offer a wider range of food options. The main hotel reception is also located on the ground along with male and female cloakrooms.

The 58 bedrooms are modern, light and bright, and spread across all four floors offering accessible rooms on the ground floor, both internally within the main body of the hotel and externally via the courtyard. Further rooms are located across the rest of the hotel and vary in size, but with all offering ensuites, tea and coffee making facilities, flat screen TVs and microwaves.

Trade fixtures & fittings are included in the freehold sale, those items personal to the current owner may be excluded. Contact the selling agent for further information.

Externally, the hotel offers an enclosed, sheltered and private courtyard to the rear. Currently not utilised, it could create a further external drinking and dining space. To the front and off Harvey's Bar is a terrace offering seating onto the street which enjoys the weather in the sunnier months of the year.

In addition, the neighbouring property known as Friary House is also 'owned' by the current owner, on a long lease of some 999 years paying a peppercorn rent. The building is in the final stages of a conversion into 33 apartments that could be used as serviced apartments in conjunction with the hotel.

21 apartments have recently been finished to an incredibly high standard throughout with nine penthouses, seven with balconies that have far-reaching views across the city, the cathedral and beyond. The apartments are in the process of being let out on AST's which will produce an income of circa £40,000 pcm. 12 further apartments are due to be completed on the ground floor by August 2025.

This property represents an opportunity to take over an existing long lease (virtual freehold) to further enhance the accommodation offering between both buildings and create close to 100 rooms. Furthermore, a building to the rear of the site, formally a derelict barn, has had a £500K refurb and offers four extra letting bedrooms and ancillary space which is currently used as a laundry processing facility for the entire RoomsBooked group of hotels.

The above mentioned properties are NOT included within the guide price of The New County Hotel, but are available via separate negotiation.

This hotel presents a tremendous opportunity for a buyer to take the reins of this profitable city centre business. A turnkey opportunity and a relatively hands-off operation should one desire, it offers scope to increase revenue further or to continue the current business model that the owner has created. This, combined with the city’s growing demand for accommodation, F&B and event spaces present significant investment opportunities. The hotel’s strategic location and enhanced facilities position it well to capitalize on the increasing influx of tourists and business visitors to Gloucester.

Trading information can be obtained via the selling agent.

Freehold