Retail Property (High Street)

A well-established, profitable beauty salon occupying a prominent first-floor position in the heart of Saffron Walden, one of Essex's most sought-after historic market towns. Trading successfully for 12 years under the current owner, the business benefits from a loyal, settled team and an extensive client database of approximately 10,000 customers – a significant untapped asset for a new, hands-on owner. The current owner is keen to secure continued employment for the existing staff and would welcome interest from an owner-operator looking to take the business forward.

Location

Saffron Walden is one of the finest and best-preserved medieval market towns in England, situated in the north-west corner of Essex, The town is well connected, lying just off the M11 and within easy reach of Stansted Airport, making it popular with commuters as well as those seeking a more traditional market-town lifestyle. The town has been home to a market since 1141, and the twice-weekly market (Tuesdays and Saturdays) continues to draw shoppers and visitors into the town centre, complementing a strong base of independent shops, cafes, restaurants and boutiques. Saffron Walden's cobbled streets and largely unspoilt collection of timber-framed and listed buildings give the town a strong sense of character and continue to attract a healthy volume of both local footfall and visitors.

The Property

The premises comprise a first-floor beauty salon with its own ground-floor entrance and display window, situated beneath a separate ground-floor shop unit (occupied independently) with residential accommodation on the upper floors of the wider building above. Internally, the salon is arranged to provide a welcoming reception and retail area leading through to a number of individual treatment rooms, a nail/beauty station area, and staff and storage facilities, together with WC facilities. The accommodation totals approximately 537 sq ft , and has been fitted out to a good standard throughout, with feature lighting and quality finishes in the treatment rooms.

The Business

A well-regarded beauty salon which has been trading from these premises for approximately 12 years, having been set up by the current owner rather than acquired. Over that period it has built a loyal and substantial client base, with an active customer database of approximately 10,000 clients – an asset that has not yet been fully exploited from a marketing perspective and represents a clear opportunity for growth under new, hands-on ownership. The salon offers a comprehensive range of beauty treatments across several well-appointed treatment rooms, together with a nail bar / styling area and a retail area selling skincare, cosmetics and beauty products. The premises are set up with dedicated rooms for facials and body treatments, brow and lash services, nails, and spray tanning, alongside a bright reception and retail space stocking a range of well-known skincare and cosmetics brands.

Staff

The business is supported by a settled and experienced team, comprising: ● 1 x full-time member of staff ● 3 x part-time members of staff ● 1 x trainee All staff are engaged on a PAYE basis and will be included within the sale (subject to TUPE, as applicable). The continued employment of the existing team is a key priority for the current owner, and the business represents an ideal opportunity for a hands-on owner who wishes to build on an already well-trained and loyal staff base. The current owner's role is limited to overseeing the management of the business, with day-to-day operations run by the existing team. This presents an excellent opportunity for an owner-operator to step in and grow the business further, both through more active use of the existing client database and by expanding the range of services offered.

Turnover

The business currently achieves an average weekly turnover of approximately £3,000 to £4,000. Stock is held at the premises to a value of approximately £5,000. The business is VAT registered. Three years' trading accounts, together with recent VAT returns, are available and can be reviewed by genuinely interested parties, either in advance of or during a formal meeting with the current owner.

Tenure

The property is held on a leasehold basis. The current lease is now on a rolling (periodic) basis at a passing rent of £7,000 per annum. Historically, rent reviews have taken place roughly every 4 years, with the next review due in approximately 2 years' time under the existing arrangement. However, the landlord has confirmed that a new, longer-term lease will be made available to an incoming purchaser at a rent of £8,000 per annum, with the term to be agreed and negotiated directly between the landlord and the incoming tenant.

Business Rates

We are advised by the current owner that no business rates are currently payable in respect of the premises. Prospective purchasers are advised to make their own enquiries of the relevant local authority (Uttlesford District Council) to confirm the current rateable value and any rates liability or available relief.

Legal Costs

Each party is to be responsible for their own legal costs incurred in connection with the transaction. In addition, the purchaser will be responsible for the landlord's reasonable legal costs incurred in the preparation and grant of the new lease.

Administration Fee

Following the agreement of terms, the prospective tenant or buyer is required to pay an administration fee of £200 + VAT to Gilbert & Rose Commercial Limited. This covers the full cost of referencing, identity checks, and suitability assessments.

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.