Eagle, Swindon

Watchfield is a rapidly expanding, picturesque village in the beautiful Vale of The White Horse on the busy A420, Swindon to Oxford road. Watchfield is home to the bustling and affluent Shrivenham 100 business park as well as the residential training facility for the UK Defence Academy. Surrounded by natural history, rolling hills, great walks and loads to see and do for explorers, walkers and photographers, Watchfield is only eight miles north East of Swindon Town centre. Multiple new affluent housing developments are underway in the local vicinity, making the Eagle a gem of a business with scope to grow and develop a traditional pub in the heart of the community.

Pub Layout

As you walk through the front door of the Eagle, the well stocked centrally located bar provides a warm welcome as the 2 zoned bar areas, stretch out either side. To the left, there is a traditional public bar area, which currently hosts a pool table and darts board which could easily be moved around to host live music and various other events. To the right, there are low level tables, chairs and sofas providing a more relaxed atmosphere with an open fire and cosy feel. To the rear of the bar, there is a well-equipped galley kitchen, capable of hosting a traditional 7 day, pub food offer. Doors leads out into a beautiful and enclosed sun trap, courtyard with outside seating and well tended gardens. As the building extends down to the right, there is another area that can be used for additional seating, dining, events and more. There is ample on street parking located around the property.

A traditional community pub serving a good range of cask ale and draught products, alongside a varied selection of wines, spirits and soft drinks. Being at the heart of this small community, there is a well thought out entertainment and events programme that tailors to all. The Eagle is currently trading as a predominantly wet business with a small food offering, however it has the capability to incorporate a good, community focused food offer.

Private Accommodation

The private accommodation consists of three bedrooms, an office, a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom, all in good order.

Annual Rent: £20,400 – Starting rent of £100 (net) p/w

Security Deposit: £3,000

Working Capital: £2,000

Stock: £2,000

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.

We are looking for a licensee who is passionate, has great retail standards and who loves community life. The ideal tenant will put their own stamp on the business and establish themselves within the local community by developing an exciting and compelling food offer and attracting locals, as well as those from the wider community such as the local business park and the military training academy. There is an opportunity to premiumise the wine, spirits and craft beers as well as expand the business and increase footfall by opening all day and introducing a quality food, cake and bakery offer. With the absence of a bakery or cafe in the village, there is huge opportunity to maximise on this potential additional income stream. The new tenant would ideally also be proficient and competent in using social media and local marketing to further drive the business forwards.

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 *