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RARE FREEHOLD VILLAGE SHOP OPPORTUNITY WITH 12 PARKING SPACES
Sell New Group are delighted to offer for sale this exciting FREEHOLD COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITY in the highly sought-after Bedfordshire village of Studham, close to the Hertfordshire border and surrounded by attractive Chilterns countryside.
Constructed as part of the Bell Cottages development, the detached building offers a particularly unusual opportunity for a purchaser looking to create and operate a VILLAGE SHOP, RETAIL BUSINESS OR OTHER SUITABLE COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE, subject to the existing planning permission, permitted use and any further consents required.
Importantly, the building formed part of an approved development which specifically included the provision of a shop.
Central Bedfordshire Council Planning Reference: CB/14/03116/FULL
Planning permission was granted on 16 April 2015 for:
“Erection of 5 three bed dwellings and building to include a shop and associated parking.”
The property is offered in SHELL CONDITION, providing an incoming purchaser with an excellent blank canvas from which to create a bespoke commercial premises.
Potential concepts, subject to planning and all necessary consents, could include a traditional village convenience store, farm shop-style offering, delicatessen, locally sourced produce store, bakery and everyday grocery shop, or other compatible commercial uses.
CREATE STUDHAM'S VILLAGE SHOP
The building has remained predominantly in shell condition since construction and provides an exciting opportunity for an owner-occupier, independent retailer, entrepreneur or investor to undertake a complete fit-out to their own specification.
Internally, the property provides an impressive open space with HIGH CEILINGS, EXPOSED TIMBER ROOF STRUCTURE and UNFINISHED BLOCKWORK WALLS, creating considerable flexibility when planning the internal layout.
Subject to professional structural advice, planning permission, Building Regulations and any other necessary consents, a purchaser may also wish to investigate whether the generous roof structure could provide potential for additional accommodation or workspace.
For a village shop operator, the existing shell provides an opportunity to design the premises around the requirements of the business, potentially incorporating counters, shelving, refrigeration, fresh produce displays, bakery sections, deli counters and other retail fittings.
One of the property's most striking features is its extensive FLOOR-TO-CEILING GLAZED FRONTAGE AND LARGE GLAZED DOORS, providing excellent levels of natural light and the potential to create an attractive and highly visible shopfront.
The CGI images accompanying the marketing have been prepared to demonstrate how the existing shell could potentially be transformed into a welcoming contemporary village shop, with concepts including timber-style flooring, fresh produce displays, artisan shelving, food and deli counters and feature lighting.
The opportunity is to create a modern village shop combining everyday essentials with quality locally sourced products, potentially serving both the immediate Studham community and customers from surrounding villages.
CGI images are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the property's current condition or any specification included within the sale.
12 PARKING SPACES
A significant advantage of the property is the excellent provision for CUSTOMER AND STAFF PARKING.
The property is being sold with 12 PARKING SPACES, providing valuable on-site parking to support the operation of the premises.
The parking is conveniently positioned in close proximity to the building, providing straightforward access for customers and helping make the premises accessible to people travelling from Studham and surrounding villages.
Some areas associated with the parking currently require clearing and general attention.
The combination of a DETACHED COMMERCIAL BUILDING, EXTENSIVE GLAZED FRONTAGE AND 12 PARKING SPACES creates an excellent foundation from which a purchaser can establish their own village retail business.
PLANNING – APPROVED SHOP
The planning history forms an important part of this opportunity.
Central Bedfordshire Council Planning Reference: CB/14/03116/FULL
Decision: GRANTED
Decision Date: 16 APRIL 2015
The approved development comprised five three-bedroom dwellings together with a building to include a shop and associated parking.
Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves through Central Bedfordshire Council and their professional advisers as to the precise authorised use of the property, compliance with the original permission, planning conditions, any Section 106 obligations and any requirements affecting the proposed occupation, operation or fit-out of the premises.
Any purchaser considering an alternative commercial use, alterations to the building or the creation of additional accommodation within the roof structure should make their own enquiries regarding the planning permission, Building Regulations and other consents that may be required.
ESTATE CHARGE
An estate charge is associated with the property.
We are currently awaiting confirmation of the precise annual charge from the relevant management/freehold information. At present, this is ESTIMATED TO BE IN THE REGION OF £350–£500 PER ANNUM.
Prospective purchasers should obtain confirmation of the current charge, what it covers and any provisions for future increases through their solicitor before exchange of contracts.
SERVING STUDHAM & THE SURROUNDING VILLAGES
Studham is an attractive and established Bedfordshire village situated close to the Hertfordshire border and on the edge of the Chiltern Hills.
Studham Parish Council records a parish population of approximately 1,180 residents, providing an established local community which could potentially benefit from a conveniently located village shop.
A new operator could potentially create a retail offering incorporating:
EVERYDAY GROCERIES & HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS
FRESH FRUIT & VEGETABLES
LOCALLY SOURCED PRODUCE
ARTISAN BREAD & BAKERY PRODUCTS
DELI & CHILLED PRODUCE
FRESH MEAT & PREMIUM FOOD PRODUCTS
FRESH COFFEE & TAKEAWAY PRODUCTS
GIFTS & LOCALLY PRODUCED GOODS
The concept could be tailored to create a modern village shop with a traditional community focus, providing convenient everyday shopping while offering specialist products capable of attracting customers from the wider surrounding area.
LOCATION
Studham enjoys an attractive semi-rural position close to the Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire borders while remaining accessible to Dunstable, Luton, Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted, Tring and Harpenden.
The village lies within attractive Chilterns countryside, with the wider area popular with walkers, cyclists and visitors.
This combination creates an interesting opportunity for a village shop capable of serving the resident community, neighbouring villages and visitors to the surrounding countryside.
APPROXIMATE DISTANCES
Dunstable – approximately 5 miles
Luton – approximately 7 miles
Hemel Hempstead – approximately 7 miles
London Luton Airport – approximately 9 miles
Watford – approximately 15 miles
Central London – approximately 35 miles
Distances are approximate and provided for general guidance only.
BUSINESS RATES
Interested parties should make their own enquiries with the Valuation Office Agency and Central Bedfordshire Council regarding the property's Rateable Value, business rates payable and potential eligibility for Small Business Rate Relief or any other available relief.
COMMERCIAL FINANCE
For free, no-obligation, whole-of-market commercial mortgage advice, please contact the team to arrange a telephone appointment.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION & DISCLAIMER
Sell New Group has not tested any fixtures, fittings, apparatus, utilities or services at the property and cannot confirm their condition, capacity, availability or working order.
All dimensions, areas and distances are approximate and should be independently verified before a purchaser incurs any expense.
Photographs, floor plans and CGI images are provided for guidance and illustrative purposes only. CGI images demonstrate potential fit-out concepts and should not be interpreted as representing the property's existing condition, specification or items included within the sale.
Prospective purchasers should independently confirm the property's permitted use, Planning Reference CB/14/03116/FULL, planning conditions, Section 106 obligations, Building Regulations position, Rateable Value, business rates, EPC, utilities, services, estate charges and any other matters relevant to their proposed occupation or use.
No representation is made that any alternative use, extension, alteration or additional accommodation within the roof structure will receive the necessary consents.
Sell New Group does not verify legal title, boundaries, rights of way, easements, covenants or other legal matters. These should be confirmed by the purchaser's solicitor prior to exchange of contracts.
RESERVATION REQUIREMENTS
Upon reservation, Sell New Group will require:
AML/ID checks for all purchasers
Proof of deposit or proof of funds
Mortgage Agreement in Principle, where applicable
Selling estate agent details, where applicable
A £5,000 NON-REFUNDABLE RESERVATION FEE is required to reserve the property. This will be credited against the agreed purchase price upon completion and is payable on the basis that the purchaser works towards an 8-WEEK EXCHANGE OF CONTRACTS, commencing from receipt of the draft legal contract by the purchaser's solicitor.
Full reservation terms should be reviewed and agreed before payment of the reservation fee.
Should you require clarification regarding any aspect of the property, planning position or reservation terms, please raise this before committing to any expenditure or paying a reservation fee.
