Charles Darwin, Shrewsbury

The Charles Darwin is located on a corner plot on Sutton Road, Sutton Farm area of Shrewsbury. This is a very established community, however huge investment with housing, retail shops near the Shrewsbury Town football club means high volumes of people in the area has access from A5 via B4380 and A458. The area has a wide mixture of older houses and newer properties with 303 houses recently being built with more developments planned. This area is certainly adding to it’s increasing appeal with retail and light industry it is certainly an up and coming area with good infrastructure to sustain the changes. The Charles Darwin shares a carpark with the Co-op next door with a row of shops opposite comprising of butchers, post office, fish bar, barbers, vets.

Pub Layout

Approaching the pub there is walled external seating area with several wooden benches leading to the main entrance, to the right there is a lounge area with a mixture of fixed and loose seating and to the left the bar area with pools tables and a darts oche. There is a traditional feel to both rooms. The lounge hosts events, live music and televised football where the bar has two pool tables. This is a ready to go business. The kitchen isn’t currently operational, but could be utilised.

This is a big football pub with Shrewsbury Town football grounds nearby, along with Sky Sports showing on all tv’s. There are two pool teams and ladies and gents’ darts teams on site alongside live entertainment running throughout the year. There is potential to expand the offerings by introducing food from a central kitchen, which can diversify income streams and attract a broader customer base. Additionally, leveraging its proximity to the football grounds and actively promoting these features can further enhance its appeal to the local community and beyond.

Private Accommodation

Located on the first floor comprising of lounge, bathroom, kitchen and 3 bedrooms.

Annual Rent: £21500

Security Deposit: £1,500 (with build up to £5,000)

Working Capital: £2,000

Stock: £3,000

Fixtures and Fittings: Upon Valuation  – funding options 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 pub should continue to do all the community activities, football, teams, entertainment and charity works, Overall, the establishment seems to have a well-rounded approach, combining sports and social activities to create a vibrant and appealing environment for a diverse range of customers whatever the occasion for visiting, the next licensee should build on this and use their skills with social media to promote and grow the business further.

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 *