Lochar Inn, Heathhall

The Lochar Inn is located in a predominant road side position on the A701, the main route from Dumfries through Heathall. This road has direct links to the A74 leading North to Glasgow and Edinburgh, South to Carlisle and West to Stranraer. Located in the market town of Dumfries, near the mouth of the River Nith this former royal burgh since 1186 is steeped in history due to its many associations with Robert Burns who lived there in the 1790’s. and is nicknamed Queen of the South, known for the the name of the towns professional football club.

Pub Layout

This roadside pub is located on a busy main road. The main bar runs along the back of the room for the majority of this single storey building. With its dark wood features, high stool seating area and traditional brass features this is the focal point of the room, bring both the games area and lounge area together. This galley style bar area is a mixture of fixed and loose seating with a pool table and darts board to the right of the bar incorporating the traditional pub games. TV’s adorn the walls promoting live sport too. The lounge area is comfortable but requires some modernisation. The fixed booth areas, alongside the mixture of fixed and loose seating area makes this the perfect dining area with scope to improve the food offer. The small decked terrace area provides some outside seating alongside onsite car parking facilities making this the perfect destination site.

The Lochar Inn is a thriving establishment with a strong focus on its wet-led business complimented by a food offer. live sports and entertainment are key features with live music performances, quiz nights, or even karaoke evenings attracting a diverse audience. Given the favourable sales mix and minimal local competition for quality pub meals, investment in menu development to further enhance the food offer. Given its predominant roadside location this can provide substantial passing trade making this the perfect destination site.

Private Accommodation

There is no private accommodation with this site.

Annual Rent: £14,000

Security Deposit: £5,000

Working Capital: £2,000

Stock: £2,000

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.

Admiral are seeking to secure a dynamic and experienced licensee who is multi skilled and has the ability to maximise the trading opportunities that this pub presents. Our licensee must be community focused and be the face of the business. They must also enjoy traditional pub games alongside horse racing and live sport which currently is the focal point of this business. The licensee must have some food experience as the scope for development in this area is huge. The location of this site, alongside the plans for a major housing development in close proximity gives The Lochar Inn real potential for establishing itself as a community local whilst catering for destination diners too

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 *