DESCRIPTION
The Pitfour Arms Hotel is a prominent and highly attractive small hotel with a strong history within the town of Mintlaw. The hotel has an elegant façade and is central to the community of circa 2700 people but with a much larger catchment area population. The subjects cover a deceptively large footprint and enjoy a prime roadside frontage, affording ease of access coupled with excellent signage. Internally, the property radiates character and charm and has seen extensive inward investment, being modernised in recent years. All public rooms and service areas are in generally good condition and after a short period of refreshing facilities, new owners could then focus on service provision. The 4 en-suite letting bedrooms are all presented to a good standard with modern showers. The hotel benefits from a liquor license and has a large outstandingly appointed commercial kitchen plus ample ancillary areas. The 2-bedroom owner’s accommodation adds to the appeal of this business, making it a sound trading proposition and home.
TRADE
The Pitfour Arms Hotel is a well-established business, providing sound profits and a comfortable lifestyle business for proprietors. The business has recently operated under a lease but recent trading accounts will be made available to potential purchasers. Trade in recent years has mainly operated on a wet-sales basis with sporadic accommodation income. Consequently, there is scope and demand to trade the 4 quality en-suite letting bedrooms more fully. There is also capacity to operate a catering provision, should new owners have a desire to do so.
The Pitfour Arms Hotel currently relies on the day-to-day support of local custom but there is a significant tourism presence during the main holiday season (Easter to September). The business presently does little to actively promote trade and an example of this is the business website. A new vibrant and interactive website would draw in accommodation-based custom which would ‘feed’ into the catering and bar aspects of trade. Despite the lack of promotional activity, the business still produces sound trading results but it is self-evident that new owners could drive the business to a higher level. The Pitfour Arms Hotel presents an easy-to-operate trading model, providing both an income and family home.
REASON FOR SALE
The Pitfour Arms Hotel was purchased by the vendors in September 2006 and it has offered the vendors a successful family trading operation. However, it is their desire to focus on non-hospitality businesses that brings this highly attractive home and business to the market.
THE PROPERTY
Of traditional stone construction the Pitfour Arms Hotel presents a charming detached property under a slate roof. With an attractive frontage, the building extends over 3 floors, with the owners and guest accommodation on the 2 upper floors. The property throughout is presented in good condition and ready to recommence trading. There is ample off-road car parking to the rear of the subjects.
PUBLIC AREAS
The property has a centrally located entrance from the main square giving access via an Inner-hallway to the bar area on the left and a small dining room to the right. The character and charm of the property is self-evident in the public areas and is reflective of the building throughout. The trading areas include a bar licensed for 42 customers which has 2 distinct areas; the far end of the bar is where there is a darts lane, gaming machine and the juke box. The immediate area upon entering is more spacious and is served from an attractive and well-appointed bar. The dining room can cater for up to 17 covers and is set to free-standing tables and chairs. It was primarily used for guest breakfasts but new owners with a penchant for food could use it as a dining room for all day service. A beer garden to the rear aspects is licensed for up to 22 patrons and is popular in the warm summer evenings. Service areas include well-appointed ladies and gents’ bathrooms.
LETTING BEDROOMS
Access to the letting bedrooms is from the reception hallway and are situated on the first and second floors. The Pitfour Arms Hotel currently has 4 letting bedrooms which are most functional with quality furnishings and facilities plus in good decorative order. In-room facilities include hospitality trays and towels etc. The rooms have modern en-suites and are all configured to twin beds at this time.
SERVICE AREAS
The business benefits from a modern and highly functional kitchen which is well provided for by way of facilities and equipment which is complemented by a separate larder / laundry area. There is adequate storage throughout the building. There is a chilled cellar off the main bar and deliveries are accessed through a side door. To the rear corridor there is a spacious office and room off, which could be developed as further letting / owners’ accommodation, if required.
OWNER’S ACCOMMODATION
An attractive feature of this sale is the excellent owner’s accommodation which is set to the first floor. This spacious 2-bedroom flat benefits from a large lounge and an attractive bathroom with bath and separate shower. Both bedrooms are doubles with fitted wardrobes. There is an office and large storage room on the ground floor that could be transformed into further accommodation, should it be required.
GROUNDS
The Pitfour Arms Hotel is a substantial property and benefits from a prime roadside trading position. There is ample parking for up to 14 cars and a spacious beer garden to the rear.
SERVICES
The subjects benefit from mains electricity, gas water and drainage. The business has a gas central heating and hot water system plus is mainly double glazed. The building has a modern fire alarm and a 7-point CCTV system.
