Commercial Property

A rare freehold opportunity in the heart of Rochford's Conservation Area. This substantial two-storey former restaurant building extends to approximately 4,700–4,900 sq ft and occupies a prominent position just off the town centre, within easy reach of Rochford railway station, the historic Market Square and the wider Southend commuter belt. The property most recently traded as a successful Indian restaurant and offers an incoming purchaser genuine flexibility: continue trading as a going concern, re-apply for full residential conversion, or explore a mixed-use scheme continuing the restaurant use at ground and first floor while adding a new second floor of residential accommodation, subject to planning. Offered with vacant possession and no onward chain.

Location

Rochford is a historic market town in south-east Essex, approximately 3 miles north of Southend-on-Sea and within easy reach of the A127 and A130, providing swift access to the wider Essex road network and London beyond. Rochford railway station, on the Southend Victoria line, offers direct services into London Liverpool Street in around an hour, making the town a popular choice for commuters. The property occupies a position on Back Lane, moments from the Market Square and the principal shops, cafés and amenities of the town centre. The surrounding area is designated as the Rochford Conservation Area, reflecting the historic character of the streetscape, and the town is well served by schools, healthcare facilities and everyday amenities.

The Property

The Old Bakehouse is a substantial two-storey building most recently trading as a well-established and successful Indian restaurant, comprising a fitted commercial kitchen, bar servery, ground floor restaurant/dining area, and a first floor function/restaurant space with an additional bar and dance floor area, together with associated staff and customer WCs and ancillary storage. Internally, the building offers considerable flexibility, having previously been configured to accommodate significant covers across two trading floors, and represents an excellent opportunity for an operator to continue the existing, proven restaurant use. Externally, the building presents attractively within the conservation area streetscape, including notable period features such as an existing date stone to the front elevation. I

Sizes and Potential

In addition to its ongoing suitability as a restaurant, the property offers interesting potential for an incoming purchaser to explore adding a new second floor of residential accommodation above the existing building, while retaining the ground and first floors in restaurant use. The previous planning consent (detailed below) included approved drawings for a second floor and roof plan as part of a wider residential scheme, which may provide a useful starting point for a purchaser wishing to investigate this mixed-use potential, subject to obtaining fresh planning permission. Approximate gross floor areas (measured from architect's drawings, scaled at 1:100): ● Ground floor: c. 2,570 sq ft ● First floor: c. 2,620 sq ft ● Total: c. 4,700 – 4,900 sq ft gross Prospective purchasers are advised to satisfy themselves as to exact floor areas by inspection and, where relevant, by commissioning their own measured survey.

Planning History

The property benefits from an established and recent planning history for residential conversion. Full planning permission was granted by Rochford District Council on 17th June 2020 (application ref. 19/01146/FUL) for: "Convert existing restaurant building into 4 no. two bedroomed flats and 2 no. one bedroomed flats." This permission has since lapsed, as the development was not implemented within the required three-year period, and a fresh application would be required. The approved 2020 scheme included a second floor and roof plan, which may be of particular interest to a purchaser considering a mixed-use approach — retaining the restaurant at ground and first floor while adding new residential accommodation in a second floor above, subject to a fresh application and the Local Planning Authority's agreement.

Tenure

The property is offered for sale Freehold, with vacant possession to be given on completion. Offers IRO £750,000 - £800,000

Legal Costs

Each party is to bear their own legal costs incurred in this transaction.

Disclaimer

Whilst every care is taken to ensure that these particulars are correct, accuracy is no way guaranteed and none of the information supplied forms part of any contract. Acceptance of these particulars constitutes a contract to the effect that all negotiations for the business or property will be made through Gilbert & Rose otherwise the purchaser will be equally responsible with the vendor for damages equal to the amount of our commission.