The Gillingham Tandoori, The Square, Gillingham, Dorset

The Gillingham Tandoori Restaurant is a character Grade II listed property which offers potential for incoming purchasers to acquire an established Indian restaurant and takeaway with opportunities for alternative uses, styles of trade and concepts. In the same ownership for 35 years and benefitting from a new roof in November 2025, this purpose fitted and equipped property and business briefly comprises; Main Restaurant comfortably seating 42+ with air conditioning; Bar Servery Area; Commercial Kitchen; Customer WC’s, extensive Storage Rooms. The property is further enhanced by the owner’s/staff apartment currently arranged as 3 Double Bedrooms and a Bathroom. A viewing is recommended to appreciate all that this flexible freehold property has to offer.

SITUATION
The Gillingham Tandoori Restaurant is situated in the heart of Gillingham, close to the main town centre and shopping areas. The area is surrounded by a vibrant mix of complementary businesses and Gillingham itself is a sought after and growing Dorset town. Gillingham is the most northerly town in Dorset and is a busy and expanding market town situated between Sherborne and Shaftesbury and is approximately 4 miles from the A303 which links the South West and the M3 to London. Yeovil is within 25 miles and Salisbury is around 29 miles. Gillingham has a population of around 11,000 and has a thriving business community and offers services to cater for most everyday requirements with Waitrose, Asda, Lidl and Aldi supermarkets, 3 primary schools, and a well regarded state secondary school. The town also has a mainline railway station with connections to London Waterloo (2 hours) and the South West.

INTERNAL DETAILS
Steps to the front of the premises leading to the Main Customer Entrance door into an Entrance Vestibule with door into the Main Restaurant Area an air-conditioned open plan room with carpeted flooring, feature lighting, currently seating 42+ customers. Timber fronted and topped Bar Servery with associated back bar fittings, display shelving and optics, stainless steel sink unit and an upright glass fronted bottle fridge. Ladies and Gents WC’s. Commercial Kitchen with non-slip flooring, part tiled walls and being fitted with a range of commercial catering equipment to include:- extractor system with stainless steel canopy and gas interlock system, 8 burner gas range, tandoori oven, warming cabinet, 2 microwave ovens, stainless steel handbasin, twin deep bowl stainless steel sink unit, stainless steel workbenches with shelving below, wall shelving, chest freezer and 2 upright fridges. Basement Storage in 3 separate interconnecting areas with 2 chest freezers, an upright freezer, shelved dry goods and bottle storage.

OWNERS/STAFF ACCOMMODATION
Currently arranged as 3 Double Bedrooms on the first floor all with aspects to the front of the building, the accommodation could easily be reconfigured as 2 Double Bedrooms and a Sitting Room depending on requirements. There is also a Bathroom.

EXTERNAL DETAILS
Delivery access to the rear and bin store area.

THE BUSINESS
The Gillingham Tandoori Restaurant is a successful Indian restaurant and takeaway, which has been trading on a takeaway only basis since August 2025, but which offers potential to reintroduce the restaurant sit down trade. The business has been owned and operated by our client for over 35 years and trades from purposefully fitted and equipped town centre premises. The business is well established and has an excellent reputation with numerous 5 star reviews on Google and Tripadvisor. The business benefits from its own website which allows direct online ordering and the business has an active Facebook following. The business does not utilise any of the national delivery companies such as Just Eat or Uber Eats and employs its own delivery driver.

TRADING INFORMATION
We are informed that the business currently has annual sales of £214,000 a year. Accounting information can be made available to interested parties following a formal viewing appointment.

OPENING HOURS
The business trades six evenings week (closed Tuesday), from 4.30pm to 10pm – for takeaway only.

CURRENT STAFFING
The business is run by our client, with the assistance of 3 full time and 2 part time staff members.

POTENTIAL
There are opportunities to develop all aspects of the business still further and for revenue growth by maximising all available income streams and building upon the levels of trade which already exist, particularly by re-introducing the sit-down restaurant trade, and increasing the opening hours of the business. There are also undoubted opportunities for alternative styles of trade, cuisines and even completely different concepts within the premises.

EPC
E – 109.

BUSINESS RATES
Registered on the 2026 rating list at £10,250 and we are advised that there are currently no business rates payable due to small business rates relief.

SERVICES
All mains services are connected.

PRICE & TENURE
£295,000 for the freehold interest and full trade inventory. Vacant possession upon completion.