5th Hants Volunteer Arms, Southsea

Located on the corner of Napier Road and Albert Road in Southsea, the 5th Hants benefits from high footfall in it’s prominent roadside location. The densely populated residential areas surrounding the pub make it the perfect place to develop a well-supported community hub, attracting a strong local trade. Both Southsea Town Centre and the Seafront are under 10 minutes walk away, attracting seasonal trade from tourists. With the pub being just 1 mile from Fratton Railway Station, it is easily accessible by public transport.

Pub Layout

Entry to the pub is granted via the main front door where customers will be greeted with an open-plan, ground floor bar area with single bar servery to the right. This trade area has gained a reputation amongst the local community for hosting sports and live music nights. A separate trade area to the rear has it’s own separate bar servery, and is used as a tap room for customers not wanting to get involved in the pub’s entertainment and events. The pub does not have a car park, however street parking is available.

This pub is run as a wet-led venue with majority of it’s revenue coming from it’s weekly live music and entertainment nights, hosting a selection of music genres including local artists. The current licensee effectively utilises social media to increase footfall and engage with the wider community. There is no catering kitchen on site, but there is an opportunity to develop a small back bar food offering. The venue features a premium drinks selection, with a particular emphasis on cask ales, which are highly popular among the local clientele.

Private Accommodation

The private accommodation consists of three bedrooms, large lounge, kitchen, bathroom plus a small office.

Annual Rent: TBC

Security Deposit: £3,000

Working Capital: £5,000

Stock: £5,000

Fixtures and Fittings: To be confirmed upon valuation –  funding options may be available for the right licensee.

Tie: All drinks categories are tied.  For fully funded licensees on long term agreements, we offer free-of-tie options for certain drinks categories in exchange for an annual fee.

Training: £325 plus VAT

For a breakdown on financial information, please refer to the ‘Additional Info’ tab.

The ingoing licensee will be experienced, community focused and passionate about cask ale. We are looking for someone to build on the solid foundations that our current licensee has developed and be able to unlock further growth at the pub. The pub will remain a wet-led venue, emphasizing high-quality drinks, with a particular focus on its excellent range of cask ales. The 5th Hants will continue to be known for its regular live music acts, solidifying its role as the social hub of the Albert Road community. With its welcoming atmosphere and vibrant entertainment, this pub will offer plenty of reasons for locals and visitors alike to stop by.

Annual Rent – This is our lowest rent figure associated with a Full Tie.  If the tie is reduced the effective rent (via Tie Release Fees) will increase.  Rent is billed and paid for weekly in advance depending on the payment terms agreed). On occasion, our Business Development Manager will discuss a start up rent which is discretionary to an individual pub and can be discussed.

Security Deposit – This sum of money will be held on your account and will be returned to you on exiting of the pub based on your final account balance and the condition of the property.  Our standard deposit is 25% of the headline rent.  On occasion, we can negotiate a lower security deposit with the aim to build up to our full deposit on a long term agreement.

Working Capital – This is a recommend amount required which will be used in the day-to-day running of the business.

Stock – This will be valued by an independent valuer on the day you take over the pub. This includes unbranded glassware, unopened bottles, wines, spirits, any unopened / opened kegs and cask ale providing the container is unopened.

Fixtures & Fittings – This includes any item that is bolted to the floor or walls, and a fitting to be any item that is free standing or hung by a nail or hook. This will also include furniture.

Tie: All drinks categories are tied.  For fully funded licensees on long term agreements, we offer free-of-tie options for certain drinks categories in exchange for an annual fee.

Training – Before signing a long term agreement, you will be required to attend our 7 Steps to Sales Success training programme.  Held online over three days, you will learn marketing and business strategies that will help you to grow sales in your pub – step-by-step.

Service Charge Cost – £60.89 per week – The Admiral Taverns Premium Maintenance Package will help take care of your compliance and statutory obligations with one simple fee, whilst giving you piece of mind about your boiler and cellar cooling repair and replacement.  This also includes full access to e-learning for you and your staff.

*Zero Business Rates – Based on the April 2023 rating list, the Nil Rates Payable is based on small business rates relief being applied and the licensee only occupying one property for commercial purposes.  Please note, this only applies to pubs marked with an Asterix *