Black Horse, Chelmsford

The Black Horse is a large, double fronted, traditional terraced style pub, situated in the secondary high street of Chelmsford, known as Moulsham Street. Surrounded by shops, bars and residential properties, the Black Horse really is at the centre of this bustling community. Chelmsford is a busy and thriving city in the county of Essex and has fantastic commuting links straight into London and is also only 20 minutes from the coast. With a population of around 180,000 in the wider area, Chelmsford started off as an agriculture and market town, but over the years has grown into a cosmopolitan centre for industry and commerce. With three shopping centres, six retails parks, two high streets and a sizeable business park, Chelmsford really is a fantastic location to be in and being part of the vibrant nightlife scene with it’s many bars, pubs and restaurants, it will be the perfect spot for someone looking to run this great little pub.

Pub Layout

The main access for the Black Horse is via the front door which comes straight off from the high street in to the centre of the pub. You immediately arrive into the main trading space of the pub which is traditionally decorated and provides comfortable low and high level seating both to the left and to the right with a cosy open fireplace and seating for around 40 people. The bar servery is along the right hand side of the pub and frames a short corridor space through to the pool/darts area and also access to both toilets, the kitchen and door to the enclosed garden. The outside area is kept in great condition and is a mixture of artificial grass area, decking and patio space with plenty of benches and external cooking zone with additional outside bar.

The Black Horse is very much a community pub and is currently frequented predominantly by locals and nearby residents to the area. The drink sales are the core of the business and are well supported by the customer base offering a good selection of standard and premium beverages as well as a variety of cask ales. Currently, there is also a limited food offer at the site with Sunday dinners proving popular alongside a regular rhythm of the week with live music, drag bingo, lucky dip karaoke, live televised sporting events and regular quiz nights.

Private Accommodation

The private accommodation consists of 2 bedrooms, kitchen, living room, and bathroom.

Annual Rent: £25,000

Security Deposit: £5,000

Working Capital: £5,000

Stock: £8,000

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: TBC –  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.

The Black Horse already boasts a great customer base, however, it could use a refreshed outlook on sales to widen this trading audience with a different drinks offer and potentially a strengthened food offer. The opportunity to maximise the live music reputation is unlimited and the venue lends itself well to hosting and promoting such events.. The outside area is a positive facility as there are not many in the area with the same and this needs to be a focus point, being promoted and utilised to it’s maximum potential.

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