ENTRANCE & PUBLIC AREAS

Customers enter via a front entrance lobby which provides access into the principal trading areas. This creates a welcoming arrival point and allows a natural flow through the bar and dining spaces.

MAIN BAR

The main bar is a traditional and welcoming room arranged to accommodate both seated and standing customers. The space is carpeted and features a brick fireplace with wood burner, creating a warm and characterful atmosphere. A timber-fronted bar servery with polished timber counter is supported by a well-arranged back bar with display shelving. Seating is provided by a mix of freestanding tables, window seating and upholstered wooden chairs, offering flexibility for different trading styles. The bar servery is fully equipped with essential trade fixtures and fittings including bottle refrigeration, glasswash facilities, an EPOS till system and associated storage.

RESTAURANT

The restaurant provides a distinct dining environment suited to food-led trade. The room benefits from feature lighting, decorative wall finishes and a character fireplace with open fire. The layout allows for a good number of covers while maintaining comfortable circulation space, making it suitable for both everyday dining and special occasions.

DINING ROOM

A further dining area offers additional seating capacity and flexibility. Exposed ceiling and wall timbers enhance the character, which is well suited to overflow dining, private bookings or informal service. Doors provide direct access to the external trading areas.

KITCHEN & ANCILLARY AREAS

The commercial catering kitchen is fully fitted and arranged to support the current operation. Facilities include a multi-burner gas range with extraction canopy, fryers, microwave ovens, refrigeration units, stainless steel preparation surfaces and extensive shelving. A separate wash-up and food preparation area adjoins the main kitchen, providing additional workspace and storage, fitted with commercial dishwashing equipment, sinks, worktops and under-counter refrigeration and freezer units.

CUSTOMER WCs

Ladies' and gents' customer cloakrooms are conveniently located off the trading areas.

OWNERS ACCOMMODATION

The owner's accommodation is located on the first floor and provides a lovely, family-sized living space. The accommodation comprises a sitting room with timber flooring and built-in storage cupboards, three double bedrooms including a principal bedroom with an adjoining office and a modern shower room fitted with a walk-in shower. Externally, the owners benefit from a private garden area, providing outdoor amenity space separate from customer areas.

EXTERNAL AREAS

The external trading areas are a notable feature of the business, comprising a large and attractive beer garden and terraced areas arranged across patio, gravelled and lawned sections. Mature planting, borders and a gazebo enhance the overall environment. An outside Horsebox kitchen and bar facility, together with a brick-built pizza oven, supports alfresco dining and drinking during the warmer months. Additional features include a smoking shelter, bench seating and timber storage facilities.

There is also a large customer car park for circa 30 cars.

GENERAL INFORMATION

THE BUSINESS

The business is a well-established, family-run free-of-tie public house and restaurant, operated with a strong emphasis on quality, consistency and manageable working hours. The current owners have run the business with relatively low overheads and a hands-on approach, contributing to healthy profitability and a sustainable operating model.

The pub trades on deliberately restricted opening hours, demonstrating the strength of local demand and the loyalty of its customer base. Despite these limited hours, the business has achieved strong and consistent turnover levels, with net profits in the region of £50,000 pa. There is clear scope for a purchaser to increase trade by extending opening hours, broadening food service or introducing additional events.

Sales for the year ending 31 March 2025 show a Turnover of £225,479 ex VAT despite restricted opening hours. The trade is currently split approximately 60% wet/40% food sales.

The external trading areas play a...

OPENING HOURS

The Dolphin trades from 5.30pm until 10pm on Wednesday and Thursday, from 12pm until 3pm and 5pm until 10.30pm on Friday, from 12pm until 10.30pm on Saturday and from 12pm until 7pm on Sunday. The business is closed all day on Monday and Tuesday and on Wednesday and Thursday during the daytime.

RATEABLE VALUE

2023 List: £8,500.
From April 2026: £11,750.

Please note this is not Rates Payable. Interested parties are advised to make their own enquiries with the Local Billing Authority.

TENURE

Leasehold. We have been informed that the property is held on a 10 year, private 'Free of Tie' lease, effective from 2019 on Fully Repairing and Insuring terms. Current rent £20,000 pa. The lease is renewable and has the benefit of Security of Tenure.

INVENTORY

To include furnishings and equipment as per an inventory to be supplied, but excluding the owners personal effects.

STOCK

Wet and Dry stock in trade and Bar Glassware will be taken over by the purchaser at valuation on the day of completion.

COUNCIL TAX BAND A

EPC RATING B

VIEWING

Viewing is highly recommended and can be arranged by prior appointment with the Agents, Bettesworths.