Esplanade Hotel, High Street, Rothesay, Argyll And Bute

ON THE INSTRUCTIONS OF MR STUART ROBB, LIQUIDATOR FOR SKYFORTH LIMITED

LOCATION

The attractive Isle of Bute is situated off the highly scenic west coast of Scotland. The island is easily reachable by ferry, the main crossing being from Wemyss Bay on the mainland to Rothesay. Wemyss Bay is accessible from Glasgow city centre with regular rail and bus services, together with excellent road communications.

Rothesay is the principal town on the Isle of Bute. At the centre of the town is Rothesay Castle, a ruin which dates back to the 13th century. The town is regarded as a highly popular tourist destination, particularly from residents of the west coast of Scotland. In addition, due to the location of the island, off the west coast of Scotland, the town is highly popular with sailors benefiting from the attractive sailing routes along the Western Kyles.

Specifically, the Esplanade Hotel is situated in a prime position within the centre of the town, directly opposite the Ferry Terminal. The premises, therefore, benefit from significant pedestrian and vehicular traffic flow.

There is no doubt that the subjects benefit from a first class trading location, able to draw on many income drivers.

DESCRIPTION

The Esplanade Hotel is arranged over part-ground, first, second and part-attic floors of a three-storey and attic stone constructed building, under a pitched roof, clad externally in slate. In addition, there are a variety of extensions situated to the rear.

There is a large lobby area arranged over the ground floor, with staircase access to the first floor. Thereafter, there is further accesses to the upper floors.

ACCOMMODATION

GROUND FLOOR

Entrance Lobby
Large entrance lobby, with open staircase leading to the first floor accommodation.

Bar/Restaurant
With virtually full height windows to the front, providing highly attractive views over the Firth of Clyde. Seating is provided for approximately 60 persons from a mix of loose timber tables and chairs. A bar servery is set to one side. The bar/restaurant benefits from timber floors and high plastered ceilings.

Kitchen
Fully fitted commercial kitchen situated to the rear of the bar/restaurant. A preparation area is situated to the side. In addition, there is a fridge and freezer store.

Ancillary Accommodation
Customer toilets, manager’s office and stores.

FIRST & SECOND FLOORS

Accommodation
There are a total of 18 letting bedrooms arranged over the first and second floor. Two letting bedrooms have ensuite facilities. The remaining letting bedrooms share of total of three shower rooms and one bathroom. In addition, there is a separate WC.

TENURE

The property is held on heritable tenure.

SERVICES

We understand that the property is connected to mains water, electricity, gas and drainage. We understand that heating is from a gas fired central heating system.

PREMISES LICENCE

There is a premises licence in place under the 2005 Licensing (Scotland) Act.

RATES

The subjects are entered in the Valuation Roll as a hotel, with a Rateable Value of £23,500, effective from 1st April 2023. There is a draft Rateable Value of £17,200, which will be effective from the 1st April 2026. A new occupier will have the right to appeal the Rateable Value.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We have been instructed to sell the Esplanade Hotel by Mr Stuart Robb, Liquidator of Skyforth Limited. Following the liquidation of Skyforth, the business closed in late 2025.

The Esplanade, historically, was well known for its first floor bar and restaurant, being one of the most popular venues within the core town centre. The hotel also benefits from significant letting accommodation. Although a number of the letting bedrooms are not ensuite, they would be ideal for contractors visiting the island.

Given the circumstances of the sale, no historic accounting information is available to a purchaser. The premises would be ideal for a restaurant/licensed operator to re-open, historically, a very popular licensed venue with the added benefit of the upper floor letting bedrooms.

PRICE

The Esplanade Hotel has been placed on the market at offers over £95,000 for the benefit of the heritable interest, to include all fixtures and fittings. The price is reflective of the current circumstances of the sale and the condition of the asset.

EPC

The property has an EPC rating of G.

ANTI MONEY LAUNDERING

The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017, came into force on the 26th June 2017. This now requires us to conduce due diligence on property purchasers. Once an offer has been accepted, the prospective purchaser(s) will need to provide, as a minimum, proof of identity and residence.