Bell Inn, Shrewsbury

The Bell Inn is a charming, traditional pub nestled in the village of Cross Houses, just four miles south of the vibrant market town of Shrewsbury. Ideally positioned on the busy A458 en route to Bridgnorth, the pub enjoys the best of both worlds—strong support from a loyal local community and excellent passing trade thanks to its prominent roadside location. It’s also just a 7-minute drive from the popular National Trust site, Attingham Park—a 200-acre estate with a stunning Regency mansion that draws thousands of visitors each year.

Pub Layout

The Bell is a beautifully presented, detached pub set in picturesque surroundings, offering a fantastic business opportunity. Located adjacent to a small housing development with access from the car park, it boasts a spacious exterior including a large car park accommodating up to 30 vehicles and a generous enclosed grass beer garden with capacity for approximately 80 guests. This outdoor space offers tremendous potential for hosting beer festivals, community gatherings and seasonal events.

Inside, the pub is arranged across two welcoming trading areas, both served by a central bar. The main bar comfortably seats around 25, while the restaurant area offers an additional 30 covers. The interiors are bright and inviting, with a relaxed, modern ambiance complemented by tasteful contemporary décor throughout. Two fireplaces add warmth and character, making the Bell a cosy and appealing destination year-round. All fixtures and fittings are in excellent condition, providing a turnkey opportunity for the next licensee.

The Bell enjoys an excellent reputation for both its food and drink, attracting loyal support from the local community and benefiting from steady passing trade throughout the year. It currently operates for both lunch and dinner service, offering a popular menu of hearty, home-cooked dishes. The bar is well-stocked with a broad selection of drinks, and there’s exciting potential to reintroduce a cask ale offering.

A well-established rhythm of the week, featuring events such as quiz nights and live music on weekends, would complement the existing offer. Food-themed evenings like Fish Fridays and Steak Nights would also be well received and help to drive regular footfall.

Private Accommodation

This consists of four bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen and sitting room all in reasonable order; there is a possibility of providing Bed and Breakfast if not all the rooms are used subject to complying to regulations.

Annual Rent: £24,000

Security Deposit: £3,000 (build up to £5,000).

Working Capital: £4,000

Stock: £2,000

Fixtures & 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.

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

This village pub is in beautiful surroundings with a fantastic growth opportunity. I am looking for an experienced licensee(s) with vast knowledge of running food led community pubs. You will have experience in preparing and delivering a high standard of superior quality home cooked traditional pub fayre. You will be skilful and familiar with all areas of social media and modern marketing techniques. These will be used to drive footfall and awareness as this is a small village surrounded by well-established food pubs/restaurants all within a two-mile radius. A focus on engaging with the community is creating a memorable experience every time is key to keeping your locals. Championing customer service, the right retail offer, ambitious standards and operational excellence will be fundamental to success as well as being able to flex for seasonality.

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 – £63.33 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 for by the licensee and the licensee only occupying one property for commercial purposes.  Please note, this only applies to pubs marked with an Asterix *