Horse & Groom, Sudbury

The Horse and Groom is conveniently located on East Street, less than half a mile from the bustling town centre of Sudbury, Suffolk. This historic market town offers a wealth of cultural and historical attractions for visitors, including buildings dating back to the 17th century and connections to renowned artists like John Constable and Thomas Gainsborough. Sudbury continues to thrive as a vibrant community, hosting a weekly market in the town square and a larger farmers’ market once a month. Sudbury benefits from excellent transport links, with the A131 and A134 roads providing easy access to nearby towns and cities such as Colchester, Bury St Edmunds, and Chelmsford. The town is also served by a railway station close to the centre, with regular services to Marks Tey, where travellers can connect to London Liverpool Street, Colchester, and other key destinations.

Pub Layout

The Horse & Groom is a good-sized pub, newly redecorated externally, featuring an L-shaped bar and a separate pool room. There is a trade kitchen area behind the bar and also an attractive patio garden to the side with a smoking solution and a good size car park. Walking through the front door of the pub which is located to the left of the main frontage, you will find a small porch area. To the right of this area, you will find the main bar with the long servery, low level seating and log burner for a cosy and traditional atmosphere. Through past the bar you will find the darts area, flat screen televisions and access to the toilets as well as a door to the outside decking space. Straight ahead from the entrance porch, there is a conveniently located pool room and then on your left, you will find the main access to the external drinking space for approximately 60 seated. The cellar is accessed through an opening in the bar floor and the accommodation has its own entrance, but can also be accessed from behind the bar.

The Horse & Groom trades seven days a week and serves as a central hub for the local community. The pub is well-known for its vibrant atmosphere, with regular live entertainment, televised sports, and active pub sports teams contributing to a dynamic weekly schedule. Offering a diverse selection of both standard and premium drinks, The Horse & Groom provides an inviting space for locals to meet, socialize, and unwind. While the pub has hosted various community events in the past and previously offered a full food menu, the current focus is on delivering quality drinks and bar snacks, creating a relaxed and enjoyable environment for all who visit.

Private Accommodation

There is a lounge, 2 good sized bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom and a small office room, situated upstairs to the pub and can be accessed from behind the bar or from the owners private entrance.

Annual Rent: £15,950

Security Deposit: £5,000

Working Capital: £4,000

Stock: £4,000

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 Horse & Groom has recently undergone a major external redecoration, giving the pub a fresh and fantastic new look. This presents an exciting opportunity for a new licensee to build on the strong foundations laid by the current management. The ideal candidate will be someone who can maintain a close watch on costs while identifying ways to increase throughput in key categories such as cask ale and wines. With its prime location and strong community presence, The Horse & Groom has the potential to become the best community pub in the area. However, with considerable competition in Sudbury, it’s crucial for the business to offer a well-balanced range of products, from value to premium options across all categories. Introducing a simple food menu could further enhance the pub’s commercial performance, attracting a wider customer base and solidifying its status as a local favourite.

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 *