Prominent pub near to Bristol airport sold to new market entrants
Specialist property advisor, Christie & Co has completed on the sale of The Darlington Arms, located in the village of Redhill, near Wrington, with funding secured by Christie Finance.
The Darlington Arms has recently become a contemporary roadside inn and many years ago it was once an old coaching inn, known as The Bell. Back then it was a watering hole providing facilities for stabling, watering and changing of horses, along a major highway into Bristol. The detached two storey period building was fully restored and refurbished in 2015, reopening for trade in January 2016. Seven boutique bedrooms were opened in October 2017 and are designed to a high specification. They are named after surrounding local villages.
Our clients, Neil and Helen Maxwell decided to sell the pub in order to focus on other business interests. They commented, “We wish the new owners, Raj and Karnan all the best for the future and thank you to all of our staff and customers for the last four years. We have had a blast!”
The Darlington Arms has been purchased by Thayanesan Karnan and Sivaji Rajmohan (Raj), experienced businessmen who had been searching for an ideal hospitality opportunity in the South West to complement their existing business portfolio of petrol filling stations. Raj and Karnan intend to continue the current trading format but plan to place a greater focus on marketing the accommodation due to its close proximity to Bristol airport, combined with ample parking. They also intend to introduce a few traditional Indian meals to the menu in order to attract more local trade.
Nicholas Calfe, Director (Licensed) at Christie & Co, handled the sale comments, “I am so pleased to have completed the sale of The Darlington Arms for my clients Neil and Helen Maxwell, who rescued their local pub, The Darlington Arms from permanent closure. They purchased the property at auction some five years ago and set about renovating the pub from top to bottom, subsequently converting the first floor into letting rooms. This was key to its long-term survival and to make it profitable. It was obvious being so close to Bristol Airport to have the rooms which then made it far more saleable, attracting many interested parties. Neil and Helen, now plan to have a long break and fly out to Australia for Christmas!”
Jimmy Johns, Senior Finance Consultant at Christie Finance, secured funding for the buyers and comments, “Karnan and Raj are experienced businessmen. This was their first purchase in hospitality which is always a challenge, but we were able to secure them the funding they required to purchase the Darlington.”
For further information on this press release, contact:
Fiona Fieldhouse, Head of Corporate Communications
P: 020 7227 0793 or E: fiona.fieldhouse@christie.com
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