DESCRIPTION
Letterbox Restaurant is a well-presented boutique style restaurant which has an established loyal clientele. Situated in the centre of Newtonmore this charming business is presented in pristine condition with immaculate décor throughout. The appealing property has a delightful warm ambience as soon as you enter the premises. This well-developed business offers an excellent range of modern and traditional high quality Scottish cuisine utilising a range of locally sourced products. The quality of catering is supported by a superb standard of customer care focusing on a non-intrusive service style but with attention to detail in every respect.
The business comes to the market ready to operate with no requirement for further significant capital investment. Letterbox Restaurant became an established restaurant venue in 2010. The existing trading model has two income streams being liquor and food sales. The current wine list is varied and meets the needs of a wide range of customers and tastes. In addition, a good selection of bottled beer is offered. The current restricted trading patterns have been set to suit the proprietor’s personal preferences. The business has restricted opening hours undertaking evening meal service for only 3 months in the summer. The development of a cafe / lunch trade during the day would undoubtedly increase sales and profitability. In the remaining months the business currently is closed, so there is scope to extend trading as well. In addition, it should be possible to increase the number of covers within the restaurant.
THE PROPERTY
Letterbox Restaurant is an exceptionally well-presented business with lovely owner’s accommodation. The business operation is laid out over a single floor at street level. The owner’s accommodation is set over two floors. The building is of traditional stone construction with pitched roofs.
PUBLIC AREAS
The Restaurant has a commanding presence on the Main Street with excellent signage. The restaurant has a strong brand image and entry to the restaurant is off the pavement to the front and through a glass panelled door. With large branded windows and tasteful recessed spotlighting, the immediate impact is of a bright spacious and well laid out restaurant. The clean and functional aspects of this business are evident but it also presents a warm and welcoming ambience. With a wooden floor and a wood servery, the natural feel of this establishment is apparent. The service point has a good quality fresh coffee machine, chillers, wash hand basin, electric till and is well stocked with wines, bottled beers and soft drinks. This first area is presently set to 12 covers. A door leads into the main restaurant area which is currently laid to 18 covers and continues with the same style of décor as the front portion of the property. Within this area is the WCs which are fitted out to an exceptional standard; there is a ladies/disabled facility and a gents.
SERVICE AREAS
The commercial kitchen is located immediately to the rear of the main restaurant facilitating ease of customer service. This exceptionally well fitted out workspace comes complete with top quality cooking appliances, utensils, refrigeration units and food preparation aids. It has an effective extraction unit, tiled flooring and meets the highest standards both in facilities and cleanliness. The kitchen has a dry goods store and immediate access to the rear of the property to enable ease of deliveries etc. The premises are fully compliant with Environmental Health and Fire Regulations with modern detection systems.
OWNER’S ACCOMMODATION
The family accommodation is a significant attraction of this property comprising of a spacious double bedroom, a further double bedroom and a single bedroom. These three rooms are serviced by a high-quality family bathroom. A further fourth large bedroom has the benefit of being en-suite. Additionally, on the ground floor there is a lovely open-plan lounge with a dining area which is presented to an excellent standard. This easily maintained room has the benefit of an attractive multi-fuel stove. The subjects are enhanced by the provision of a modern and well-designed large kitchen and utility space. The owner’s accommodation has its own separate entrances and separated rear garden area from the service entry to the restaurant.
GROUNDS
Letterbox Restaurant is a substantial property with owner’s private gardens located to the rear with direct access form the street and the residential accommodation. There is a wooden fence installed between the private garden and the access to the restaurant. The private gardens are mainly laid to grass and gravel. The driveway provides access to each area and can accommodate 2 vehicles. There is a garage. There is a local authority public car park immediately to the rear of the premises and this affords customers easy access to parking and the Restaurant.
SERVICES
The subjects benefit from mains electricity, water and drainage. Propane Gas is used for cooking and the central heating system is oil fired. The premises are double glazed throughout.
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The current owners operate the restaurant at a reduced level, the following are some areas where the current trading model could possibly be adapted:
Development of the restaurant offering to serve lunch.
Morning coffee and afternoon teas could also be considered given the level of passing trade on the A86.
Include takeaway.
Increase the number of covers served.
Change the trading model to a café with gallery or similar.
The house could be used as a 4 bed self-catering unit should the new owners not require living accommodation on site.
Closure of the ground floor restaurant and converting into a 3-Bed letting house.
