Plough, Appleton

The Plough is in the affluent Oxfordshire village of Appleton (population c1000), and is now the only pub left in the village. It’s only 4 miles from the large expanding town of Abingdon and is near Oxford City. It’s a two-bar operation and dates to the 16th century so has all the period features you would expect and was originally built to serve the farming community. It is in good order internally with a decent kitchen to service the food offer. There is a large garden to the rear with another outside drinking area with seating to the left-hand side of the pub. The pub also has enough parking for about 12 cars.

Pub Layout

The entrance to the pub is from the rear, as you enter there is a “snug” bar with fixed seating and adds a presents a cosy atmosphere. Next to this is the main bar area where there is window seating and tables and features an original fireplace. As you go further through the pub there is another space that can accommodate a few tables and then leads into the second bar area at the front of the pub. These two spaces would be ideal for the restaurant side of the business.

Externally there is a large garden, outside toilets and a smaller garden area to the side of the pub. There are investment plans to build a covered walkway to both sets of toilets and enhance the already covered seating area by utilising the outbuilding that will then create a fantastic extended drinking opportunity for all year round.

The pub previously traded as a wet/dry community led pub. There is opportunity to re-engage with local village and surrounding area and re-launch this pub, building on the current mid-market offer with a great locally sourced menu, real ales, modern brands and a strong wine and spirits offer.

Private Accommodation

The private accommodation consists of:  Three double bedrooms, a bathroom with toilet & shower, and a large lounge.

There is no domestic kitchen but there is a fully fitted commercial kitchen downstairs that can be utilised.

Annual Rent: £27,500 (Start up rent of £100 per week (net) available)

Security Deposit: £5,000

Working Capital: £5,000

Stock: £5,000

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.

Admiral Taverns are looking to recruit someone with the vision to embrace this great opportunity to re-engage with local village and surrounding area and re-launch this pub in the local market place. Any new operator will need to be experienced and have a food background to match the demographics. There are several high-end food sites in close proximity, but I see The Plough being able to compete in the mid-market with a great locally sourced menu, real ales, modern brands with a strong wine and spirits offer. Our plan is to re-establish the pub at the heart of the community. You will need a strong marketing and re-launch package to promote the planned transformational external focussed capex scheme.

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 *