The Harbour Chapel, 10 Victoria Street, Dunbar, EH42 1ET

The Harbour Chapel occupies an exceptional position within Dunbar’s historic harbour, a thriving coastal town 30 minutes from Edinburgh. Combining a picturesque waterfront setting with strong transport links and year round visitor appeal, the location offers an outstanding opportunity for hospitality, events, or destination led commercial use.

The business is being offered for sale as a going concern, and so staff and customers can be assured that the business will continue to run as usual until further notice.

Dunbar, a charming coastal town in East Lothian, Scotland, is steeped in history and natural beauty. Known for its rugged coastline, rich heritage, and vibrant community, Dunbar offers visitors a mix of outdoor adventures and cultural experiences.

The town is well connected making travel convenient. By train, Dunbar sits on the East Coast mainline with regular services from Edinburgh Waverley taking 20 minutes. Bus routes also provide easy access, with services from Edinburgh, Berwick-upon-Tweed, and surrounding towns like Musselburgh and Haddington.

Whether exploring the historic High Street, visiting John Muir’s Birthplace, or enjoying the scenic cliff-top walks, Dunbar is a delightful destination for locals and tourists alike.

Internally, the property presents as an exceptionally characterful former chapel, with the principal space arranged beneath a full-height ceiling incorporating exposed structural timbers and impressive stained-glass windows, creating a strong sense of volume and natural light.

The accommodation retains a number of original ecclesiastical features, including a feature timber pulpit and gallery balcony which together provide a distinctive focal point lending themselves well to a variety of commercial configurations.

These period elements are complemented by thoughtful modern interventions with flexible seating arrangements, bespoke joinery and an integrated reception bar, allowing the space to be readily adapted for events, hospitality or alternative uses.

Overall, the property offers a high quality atmospheric trading environment combining heritage appeal with the practical requirements of a contemporary commercial operator.

All fixtures and fittings will be included in the sale. Any personal belongings owned by the current owners will be removed before the sale.

The opportunity presents the acquisition of a highly distinctive fully operational events and hospitality venue with a proven trading format, available by way of a new lease at a premium of £75,000 and a rent of £35,000 per annum.

The Harbour Chapel offers experienced operators the chance to take on a turnkey business in a prime coastal location benefitting from strong existing demand across weddings, private hire and corporate events. The combination of a landmark historic building, flexible interiors and proximity to both Edinburgh and key transport links positions the asset to capture a wide catchment and year-round income streams.

With its established reputation, unique aesthetic and limited direct competition in the immediate area, the property provides an excellent platform for an experienced operator to further grow revenues, enhance margins and capitalise on the continued strength of the events and experiential hospitality market in East Lothian.

Staff information will be provided to seriously interested parties.

The lease will be offered on a new Full Repairing and Insuring (FRI) basis, providing an incoming tenant with full operational control of the property.

The landlord is seeking to agree a 10 or 15 year term, subject to negotiation, offering flexibility to suit an operator’s business plan, whether focused on medium-term growth or longer-term security of tenure. Importantly, the lease will be free of tie, allowing the purchaser complete freedom to source and supply all food, beverage and event services without restriction.

The Rateable Value as of 1 April 2026 is £10,300.

Confirmation of actual rates payable can be obtained from the local Authority.

Premises Licence