Independent craft beer bar and eatery in Shipley brought to market
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co has brought to market on a leasehold basis Fox, an independent casual bar and eatery in Shipley, West Yorkshire.
Fox is situated in a prime position on the busy Briggate high street within the licensed and retail area of town and benefits from heavy footfall. A thriving market town renowned for its bar and dining scene, Shipley sits approximately three miles north of Bradford and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saltaire and is well-connected to Leeds and other surrounding affluent West Yorkshire towns.
The venue was opened in 2013 by experienced brewer and distiller, Chris Bee with a focus on craft beers and ales. Since then, the business has grown to offer an impressive range of up to 50 European beers, lagers, and real ales, along with a range of spirits, wines and a menu consisting of simple, homemade-style meals.
The site comprises an open-plan bar space with capacity for 50 people on the ground floor, and a 20-person beer garden with electric heaters recently installed in September 2020. The lower ground floor acts as a generous cellar space and also houses a micro-brewery and distillery, which is also available as part of the sale by separate negotiation.
The current owner Chris has made the decision to lease the business to a new operator, to focus on growing his property portfolio and strengthening the distribution of his gin brand.
He comments, “Back in 2013, the growing popularity of micro-brewery pubs and craft beers inspired me to realise my ambition and open Fox. Now I wish to introduce a quality operator to my business and take it to new levels, with the availability of the micro-brewery and distillery facilities as an added incentive.”
The sale of Fox presents a great opportunity for a wide range of prospective buyers to take advantage of a well-established, wet-led business in a prime location in the centre of Shipley. Ideal for either another local independent or expanding regional operator, the new leaseholder will benefit from the business’ established events schedule and strong customer base, comprising locals and passing trade.
There are a number of opportunities for growth, such as expanding the food offering, increasing trading hours for breakfast and lunchtime, as well as looking to televise popular sporting events to draw in trade. By implementing an appropriate advertising and social media schedule the business’ brand and customer base could be expanded.
Sam Ashton, Senior Business Agent at Christie & Co is handling the sale and comments, “This is an exciting prospect for any keen publican in the trade in West Yorkshire. The Fox is a great local to Shipley, and with the business premises being located in such a prominent central spot by the train station, this is ideal for a full-time operator to take advantage. Under the government’s COVID-19 business support scheme, a business rates holiday has been introduced for small hospitality businesses such a Fox, so it’s a great time for a new operator to establish themselves.”
The Fox is on the market with a guide price of £75,000 for the leasehold.
For further information on this press release, contact:
Bronte Hughes, Corporate Communications Executive
P: 020 7227 0794 or E: bronte.hughes@christie.com
Contact the agent:
Sam Ashton, Senior Business Agent – Licensed & Hospitality
P: +44 (0) 7701 315 069 or E: sam.ashton@christie.com
