Barley Mow, Bedford

The Barley Mow is located just outside of the Bedford town centre, on Bromham Road, and is one of the oldest LGBTQ+ bars in the country! Bedford has strong transport links to London, with a nearby train station that takes you to London St Pancras International. Nearby is a college, supermarket, and lots of other essential amenities. Like any town centre pub, the demographic for this site has a diverse range of people, ranging from young to old, and people of all ethnicities.

Pub Layout

Walking through the main entrance to the pub from the main road, you will find an open plan large trading space consisting of a spacious dance floor with adjoining DJ booth and housing some upright tables and tall stools for seating. The bar is a wrap around servery, being centrally located inside the pub, and on the same level as the trade space, there are access to the washrooms and also a good sized outside courtyard area, ideal for al fresco social drinking. There is also a commercial kitchen at the site which is in good order, however, due to the pub currently trading as a wet led, late night venue, the kitchen is not being utilised.

The Barley Mow is a wet-led, late night venue. The pub has a strong history with the LGBTQ+ community, meaning the current trading style brings in a lot of custom from younger people within this community. The pub has an impressive cocktail menu, and, as any late-night venue, the lion share of the trade is Wines, Spirits & Soft Drinks.  This pub is also big on entertainment, bringing in lots of revenue from drag acts, live music and open mic nights etc.  There is a small commercial kitchen that could lend itself to offer a light food offer. There has previously been a pool table at te venue with a pool team operating from the site, however, this has been removed in recent times.

Private Accommodation

The private accommodation consists of two bedrooms, a lounge area, bathroom, and a domestic kitchen.

Annual Rent: £22,500

Security Deposit: £5,000

Working Capital: £5,000

Stock: £5,000

Business Rates: £Nil.  Based on the April 2023 rating list, the Zero Rates Payable is based on small business rates relief being applied and the licensee only occupying one property for commercial purposes.

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 well experienced in late night venues and will maintain high standards whilst delivering exceptional service to all it’s customers. This pub has the potential to be the best late-night LGBTQ+ venue in Bedford, and will require a varied rhythm of the week to reflect it’s niche. The Barley Mow’s focus should be entertainment, high end spirits and quality beers. The possibility of getting a pool team back at the venue and being part of the league is also a good opportunity to increase revenue and footfall. An excellent social media presence would also be required for this venue due to its popularity with the younger crowds and also to be able to compete successfully with the local market.

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 – £350.00 – Before signing a long term agreement, you will be required to attend our 7 Steps to Sales Success training programme.  Held online over two 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 *