SAXMUNDHAM ANGLING & ENGRAVING CENTRE
ESTABLISHED SPECIALIST ANGLING & ENGRAVING BUSINESS
BUSINESS FOR SALE – £40,000
STOCK AVAILABLE SEPARATELY – £60,000
FLEXIBLE LEASE – £8,000 PER ANNUM
FREEHOLD AVAILABLE – £150,000
Saxmundham, Suffolk IP17
THE OPPORTUNITY
Fennel Chartered Surveyors are pleased to offer for sale this established and specialist angling, fishing tackle, bait and engraving business, occupying a highly accessible position close to the centre of the popular Suffolk market town of Saxmundham.
Established for approximately 25 years, the business provides an incoming purchaser with the opportunity to acquire an established trading operation, together with an extensive stockholding and an established presence within the local angling community.
The business is available at an attractive £40,000 for the goodwill and trading operation, with existing stock valued at approximately £60,000 available separately.
The premises can be occupied under a flexible lease at £8,000 per annum, providing a relatively low occupational cost for an established specialist retail operation.
For purchasers seeking long-term security and ownership of the underlying property, the freehold is also available at £150,000.
THE BUSINESS
Saxmundham Angling & Engraving Centre is an established independent specialist retailer serving local anglers, visiting anglers and the wider Suffolk community.
The business has developed a strong specialist identity through its combination of fishing tackle, fresh bait, fishing equipment and engraving services.
The current operation includes the sale of:
Sea fishing tackle and equipment
Freshwater and coarse fishing tackle
Fishing rods and reels
Fishing accessories and consumables
Fresh rag and lug worms
Maggots and casters
Specialist bait
Angling equipment from recognised manufacturers
Fishing-related accessories
Fishing lake day tickets
Engraving services
Trophies, plaques and personalised items
The combination of specialist retailing, fresh bait and engraving provides a diverse trading base and differentiates the business from a conventional general retailer.
AN ESTABLISHED BUSINESS
The business has traded for approximately 25 years, providing an incoming purchaser with the significant advantage of acquiring an established operation rather than starting a new business from scratch.
The business benefits from:
Established trading history
Approximately 25 years' experience within the local angling market.
Specialist customer base
A combination of local anglers, freshwater fishermen, sea anglers and visitors to the Suffolk coast.
Specialist product knowledge
The business is positioned as a source of advice as well as fishing equipment and bait.
Multiple income streams
Retail sales are complemented by fresh bait, fishing-related services and engraving.
Established website presence
The existing online presence provides a platform from which an incoming operator could further develop digital sales and marketing.
LOCATION
SAXMUNDHAM – SUFFOLK
The business occupies an attractive position close to the heart of Saxmundham, an established market town serving a substantial rural hinterland in East Suffolk.
Saxmundham is strategically positioned between the major centres of Ipswich, Woodbridge and Lowestoft, whilst being particularly well placed for access to the Suffolk Heritage Coast.
The town provides a wide range of retail, leisure and service facilities and acts as an important commercial and shopping centre for the surrounding villages and rural communities.
The location is particularly appropriate for an angling business, with the coast and a wide range of freshwater fishing opportunities within easy travelling distance.
The Suffolk Heritage Coast, including Sizewell, Aldeburgh and Thorpeness, is readily accessible by road. Sizewell is approximately 8 minutes' drive, whilst Aldeburgh and Thorpeness are approximately 15 minutes away.
Saxmundham railway station is located immediately behind the Market Place, providing an additional public transport connection.
THE LOCATION AND ANGLING OPPORTUNITY
The business benefits from being situated within an area offering a particularly strong combination of coastal, estuarine and freshwater angling opportunities.
East Suffolk attracts both resident and visiting anglers throughout the year, with the Suffolk Heritage Coast providing opportunities for sea fishing alongside numerous rivers, lakes and fisheries within the wider region.
This creates the potential for the business to develop a strong identity as a destination angling retailer, rather than relying solely upon passing town-centre trade.
An incoming operator could develop this opportunity through closer links with:
Local fishing clubs
Fisheries
Holiday parks
Holiday cottages
Caravan and camping sites
Local accommodation providers
Fishing guides
Angling events and competitions
Local tourism businesses
DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL
The business offers considerable scope for an energetic incoming purchaser to develop and expand the existing operation.
E-COMMERCE
The existing specialist product range lends itself particularly well to online retailing.
There is potential to develop a comprehensive e-commerce operation selling fishing tackle, bait, clothing, accessories and specialist products throughout the UK.
DIGITAL MARKETING
The business could benefit from a substantially enhanced social media presence, incorporating:
Local fishing reports
Catch photographs
Product demonstrations
Fishing tips
New product launches
Competitions
Local fishing information
Links with local fisheries and clubs
COASTAL ANGLING
The proximity of the Suffolk Heritage Coast creates an opportunity to establish the business as a recognised supplier to visiting sea anglers.
The business could potentially develop dedicated sea-angling packages, tackle recommendations, bait information and local fishing guides.
ENGRAVING
The existing engraving operation provides an additional specialist revenue stream with potential for expansion into:
Sporting trophies
Fishing trophies
Club trophies
Corporate awards
Commemorative plaques
Personalised gifts
Jewellery
Bespoke engraved items
CLUB AND TRADE ACCOUNTS
There is also potential to develop relationships with local fishing clubs, fisheries and organisations through preferential pricing, regular supply arrangements and event sponsorship.
PREMISES
The business occupies premises positioned close to Saxmundham Market Place.
The premises provide suitable accommodation for the existing retail and specialist business operation, together with storage and display areas associated with the trade.
The property provides an incoming operator with the opportunity to continue the existing use whilst considering alternative layouts, improved merchandising and potentially increased online fulfilment/storage capacity, subject to any necessary consents.
Further details of the accommodation and property are available from the agents.
TENURE OPTIONS
OPTION 1 – BUSINESS WITH LEASE
The established business is available for purchase for:
£40,000
The existing trading stock, currently valued at approximately:
£60,000
is available for purchase separately.
The premises are available on a flexible lease arrangement at:
£8,000 PER ANNUM
Lease terms to be agreed.
This provides an opportunity to acquire the established business and stock for approximately £100,000, before professional fees and associated acquisition costs, whilst occupying the premises at a relatively modest annual rent.
FREEHOLD OPTION
For purchasers seeking greater long-term security, the freehold premises are also available at:
£150,000
The freehold can therefore provide an opportunity to acquire the business, stock and property as one overall proposition.
Indicative acquisition:
Component Price
Business goodwill / trading operation £40,000
Stock £60,000
Freehold property £150,000
Total £250,000
The above figures are exclusive of VAT where applicable, professional fees and other acquisition costs.
KEY INVESTMENT / BUSINESS FEATURES
ESTABLISHED TRADING HISTORY
Approximately 25 years' specialist trading experience.
SPECIALIST MARKET
Established angling, fishing tackle, bait and engraving operation.
STRONG LOCATION
Saxmundham market town with access to the surrounding rural catchment and Suffolk Heritage Coast.
COASTAL CONNECTION
Convenient access to Sizewell, Aldeburgh, Thorpeness and the wider East Suffolk coastline.
DIVERSE REVENUE STREAMS
Fishing tackle, fresh bait, accessories, fishing-related services and engraving.
DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL
Scope to expand e-commerce, digital marketing, club relationships, tourism links and engraving.
ACCESSIBLE ENTRY PRICE
Business goodwill offered at only £40,000, with stock separately available at approximately £60,000.
FLEXIBLE OCCUPATION
Premises available on a flexible lease at £8,000 per annum.
FREEHOLD OPTION
Underlying freehold property available separately for £150,000.
PROPOSAL
The sale represents an unusual opportunity to acquire an established specialist retail business within one of East Suffolk's principal market towns.
The combination of an established trading history, specialist customer base, stockholding, proximity to the Suffolk Heritage Coast and relatively low occupational cost provides a sound platform from which an incoming owner could continue and develop the existing operation.
The business is considered particularly suitable for an experienced angler, independent retailer, lifestyle purchaser or entrepreneur seeking an established business with opportunities for further development.
The availability of the freehold provides an additional option for a purchaser seeking long-term occupational security and ownership of the underlying asset.
PRICE & TERMS
BUSINESS
£40,000
STOCK
Approximately £60,000 – available separately
RENT
£8,000 per annum
LEASE
Flexible lease term – terms to be agreed
FREEHOLD
£150,000
All prices and rents are exclusive of VAT where applicable.
The business is being sold as a going concern, subject to contract.
Stock value to be confirmed by inventory and agreed between the parties prior to completion.
Accounts and further financial information will be made available to seriously interested parties, subject to appropriate confidentiality arrangements.
VIEWING
Strictly by prior appointment through:
FENNEL CHARTERED SURVEYORS
Further information, viewing arrangements and details of the business and property are available from the sole agents.
Important Notice: These particulars are prepared for guidance only and do not constitute any part of an offer or contract. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the information and should rely on their own investigations and professional advice.
