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The Old Tollgate Hotel, The Street, Bramber Village, Steyning, BN44 3WE

Offers Over
£3,000,000

Business rates & charges may apply

Christie & Co, Hotels
SIZE

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SECTOR

Hotel for sale

Key features

  • Desirable and affluent location
  • Carvery restaurant and large garden
  • Planning for further development
  • Extensive car parking
  • Close proximity to seaside towns
  • Lift service to all floors
  • Christie & Co Ref: 3848038

Description

Description

Boasting 30 attractively styled bedrooms and suites, the property provides comfortable accommodation for leisure guests, walkers, and event attendees alike. The hotel’s generous footprint includes two kitchens, a sizable dining area with 120 covers, spacious reception lounges and inviting bar spaces, all designed to cater to a variety of guest experiences - from intimate dinners to lively gatherings.

Once home to a popular carvery restaurant, the hotel retains the infrastructure and charm to revive this beloved offering or reimagine the space for new culinary ventures. With its extensive grounds and versatile layout, the property also presents exciting development potential, whether for expansion, wellness facilities or enhanced event hosting.

Location

Nestled on the outskirts of the historic market town of Steyning, the picturesque village of Bramber offers a tranquil escape steeped in heritage and natural beauty. Dominated by the romantic ruins of Bramber Castle, this charming village invites visitors to step back in time while enjoying the comforts of modern hospitality.

Wander through quaint streets lined with characterful cottages, explore the serene banks of the River Adur, or set off on scenic walks across the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park. Bramber is also home to St Mary's House, a beautifully preserved Tudor manor with exquisite gardens and a rich cultural calendar.

Whether you're seeking a peaceful countryside retreat, a base for exploring Sussex’s coastal and rural treasures, or a touch of English history, Bramber offers a warm welcome and unforgettable experiences just moments from Steyning and a short drive from Brighton and the coast.

Internal Details

The Old Tollgate offers a superb mix of accommodation with 30 comfortable bedrooms including a mix of double, twin, superior double and executive rooms spread across two floors. A lift within the main block ensures easy access to all levels, enhancing guest convenience and accessibility.

Other Floors

The basement of the Old Tollgate Hotel offers a highly functional and adaptable area that enhances the overall value and operational flexibility of the property. Currently utilised for storage and essential utilities, this spacious lower level provides a secure and practical solution for back-of-house operations, inventory management, and equipment housing.

Beyond its existing use, the basement presents an exciting opportunity for further development. With its generous proportions and discreet location within the hotel, the space is ideally suited for conversion into luxurious spa rooms, a gym, treatment suites or wellness facilities, adding a premium amenity that could significantly elevate the guest experience and broaden the hotel's appeal.

Fixtures & Fittings

The business’ fixtures, fittings and equipment are to be included with the sale.

Letting Accommodation

The Old Tollgate Hotel boasts 30 sizeable bedrooms all with Queen size beds and Wi-Fi. The bedrooms all have ensuite facilities which makes the The Old Tollgate Hotel one of the most popular leisure and business hotels in Steyning, West Sussex and Brighton. The classic double rooms enjoy peace and quiet, with the executive rooms designed to provide extra space and comfort.

Owner's Accommodation

There is spacious onsite staff accommodation that offers excellent flexibility and potential, including five bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and a comfortable living area. Alternatively, the space could be rented out privately, offering a valuable revenue opportunity. Whether used to support staff retention or generate income, this accommodation is a real asset.

Other Property

Included in the sale is a five-bedroom semi-detached property which is currently being used as staff accommodation.

The Opportunity

Whether you're investing in a thriving hospitality business or seeking a unique venue with room to grow, this hotel in Bramber is a compelling opportunity in one of Sussex’s most picturesque settings.

Trading Information

Operating as a bed & breakfast since 1973, this long-standing hotel has built a strong reputation and loyal customer base. In 2019, prior to the impact of COVID-19, the business achieved an impressive average occupancy rate of 85%, generating a net operating profit of £321,000.

The unaudited financial accounts for the year ending January 2020 reported a turnover of approximately £1.7 million, with an adjusted EBITDA of around £256,000, highlighting the property's solid financial performance and operational efficiency.

Development Potential

The site offers significant development opportunity for the construction of nine charming cottages with a shared community barn, ideal for creating a vibrant residential or holiday-let enclave, alongside the conversion of the existing 20-room hotel block into eight modern flats, offering attractive long-term rental or resale prospects.

This vision presents a unique chance to enhance the site’s value and diversify its use, blending hospitality with residential appeal in a sought-after location.

Planning Permissions

The property benefits from a C1 use class and comes with approved planning permission for the development of 10 additional units and a conservatory extension.

Tenure

The property is held freehold.

Business Rates

Current rateable value (24 October 2024 to present):
£93,000

Brochures

The Old Tollgate Hotel, The Street, Bramber Village, Steyning, BN44 3WE

NEAREST STATIONS

Distances are straight line measurements from the centre of the postcode
  • Shoreham-by-Sea Station3.8 miles
  • Lancing Station3.9 miles
  • East Worthing Station4.6 miles

About Christie & Co, Hotels

Whitefriars House, 6 Carmelite Street, London, EC4Y 0BS

We’re the leading specialist advisor for buying and selling businesses in our sectors - hotels, pubs, restaurants, childcare, healthcare, convenience retail, leisure and medical.

If you’re looking to buy or sell a business in our specialist sectors – from a pharmacy in Sussex to a hotel in Austria – our expert advice and collaborative support will help you achieve your goals. You may be an independent first-time buyer or a multinational adding to your portfolio; either way, you’ll discover that our personalised service is focused on helping you achieve your ambitions.

Clients have access to our carefully managed network of potential buyers. This unique database of contacts has been continually developed by our advanced IT capabilities and benefits from both our years of experience developing our network and our wide geographical coverage.

Where we work

We employ the largest team of sector specialists in the UK and the largest group of hotel specialists in Europe, providing professional brokerage and advisory services from offices in major cities across Britain and Europe. And because we’ve been doing this for over 80 years, we know our sectors and local markets inside out. We work closely with our clients to guide and conclude transactions of any size, covering hotels, restaurants and pubs, leisure, forecourts and convenience retail businesses, social care and elderly care, childcare & education facilities, dental practices and pharmacies.

Our professional services

We offer unrivalled insight, experience and expertise across your choice of services, including brokerage, consultancy, finance, development, investment, surveying, rent reviews, dispute resolution, corporate valuation, and turnaround & recovery. These services are all underpinned by our in-depth market intelligence and leading-edge technology. And we’re accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), so you can trust in our professionalism.

What makes us tick

Businesses are about people, so relationships matter to us. We bring an integrity and transparency to business which can be all too rare – and that’s why people trust us. Our clients will attest to our genuine desire to help achieve their objectives, our attention to detail, and our tireless hard work on their behalf. We understand that buying a business can bring its own pressures and strains; needs can change, plans may need to be adjusted, and opportunities can come and go. But we’re always here, a constant, flexible and reliable force you can count on.

Our opening hours for all offices:

Mon – Fri, 9am – 5.30pm

Notes

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Disclaimer - Property reference 3848038-fh. The information displayed about this property comprises a property advertisement. Rightmove.co.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the advertisement or any linked or associated information, and Rightmove has no control over the content. This property advertisement does not constitute property particulars. The information is provided and maintained by Christie & Co, Hotels. Please contact the selling agent or developer directly to obtain any information which may be available under the terms of The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 or the Home Report if in relation to a residential property in Scotland.

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