Property description

BACKGROUND Wright Marshall are pleased to accept instructions to offer The Red Lion Hotel, Malpas. As specialists in the sale of individual period property of all denominations, usually with growth potential, often with development prospects, we are quite familiar with the sale of interesting property. The Red Lion, associated out-buildings and Beer Garden and Grounds are a classic example of this type of individual opportunity.



The Red Lion has traded as a family owned freehold Free House since 1978. Occupying a prime central location in the centre of the town of Malpas, it is a distinctive building with a typical 1930s external façade, although this disguises its much deeper historical intrigue, having medieval roots with a strong connection to James I, who decreed that Malpas should be represented by a second rector, thus formally becoming one of the smallest towns in the nation. Having stayed at the Red Lion prior to making this decree, it is evident that the history of the Red Lion is interwoven with that of Malpas itself.



The Red Lion Hotel trades successfully as a public house, but with its extensive floor area it has enormous potential to be much more. It was originally a staging post through the medieval era, as a rest up point for travellers and possibly with more distant connections to the Anglo Welsh crossing point upon which the name Malpas is derived. In its early days, the Red Lion was a Coaching Inn with letting bedrooms. Today, it trades by offering a wet trade only and it is therefore considered that there is enormous potential for improvement and enhancement. Indeed there is a perceived need in Malpas itself for a style of destination pub which embraces both local interests for drinking and socialising along with food interests accommodating locals, families, visitors and professionals. It is thus likely to attract from Malpas itself but also from outlying villages and rural areas for a radius of 10 miles and beyond.



Alternatively, it is felt there may be potential for redevelopment of the site with extensive external areas and out-buildings which could be converted or redeveloped to provide housing or other uses for the town.  

DESCRIPTION The accommodation comprises as follows:



The Red Lion Hotel, has an extensive layout in Public open areas, rooms, alcoves, and a large function hall, extending in total to 2562 sq ft (239.1m²) of net trading space, with potential to expand. This is clearly shown on the indicative trading plan (not to scale). The attached schedule confirms the areas of each.



The upper floor comprises a series of letting suites and rooms numbering 5 in total, also shown on the schedule. At first floor, the true origins of the building are betrayed, with exposed timbers and wattle and daub finishes. (Indeed there is a display cabinet in the public bar with the original wattling behind).



There are extensive cellar areas to the Public Inn, whilst the function rooms are arranged over some stores and outbuildings which emerge as the adjoining parallel Well Street level falls. These total 1320 sq ft (122m²) and are very useful areas for the running of the business, but also may offer some development potential. The former Red Lion Garage, a corrugated domed building adjoins and this offers a further 920 sq ft (85m²).



There is a pleasant Beer Garden behind the Red Lion Garage. There is a Car Park, but discerning purchasers may consider the potential to expand this further in lieu of the beer garden area beyond. 

DIMENSION RED LION INN:



Ground Floor

Main Lounge and Public Bar: 73.62m² 792 sq ft

Games Area 28.20m² 304 sq ft

Dining Room 27.04m² 291 sq ft

Pool Bar 18.99m² 204 sq ft

Function Room and Bar 44.62m² 480 sq ft

Dance Area 45.66m² 491 sq ft

Kitchen 11.61m² 125 sq ft

Gents w.c.

Ladies w.c.

Cellars 47.31m² 509 sq ft

Externally accessed:

Utility Area 7.69m² 83 sq ft

Lobby

Shower

File Store (inc Sauna) 33.96m² 366 sq ft



NET TRADING AREA 238.1m² 2562 sq ft



(Drinking and Dining Areas)



First Floor – Letting Rooms:

Brereton Suite 3.61m x 2.99m 11'10"x 9'10" (Max including en-suite)

Caldecott Suite 4.50m x 3.70m 14'9" x12'2" (Plus en-suite)

Alport Suite 3.65m x 3.57m 12'0" x11'9" (Plus en-suite)

Heber Suite 3.73m x 2.47m 12'3" x 8'1" (Plus en-suite)

Office 3.16m x 2.06m 10'4" x 6'9"

King James 1 Suite:

Bedroom 4.13m x 3.39m 13'7" x 11'1"

Nursery Room 3.68m x 3.34m 12'1" x 10'11" (Max into bay window)

En-suite 3.03m x 1.68m 9'11" x 5'6"

Kitchen 3.36m x 3.05m 11'0" x 10'0"

Study/Bedroom 3.33m x 3.06m 10'11"x 10'0"

External Basement Areas

Stables (from Well Street) 30.3m² 327 sq ft

Stores (from delivery yard):

Store 1 9.23m² 99 sq ft

Store 2 10.40m² 112 sq ft

Store 3 10.40m² 112 sq ft

Store 4 10.40m² 112 sq ft

Store 5 10.00m² 108 sq ft



Former Red Lion Garage 85.36m² 919 sq ft

(Corrugated Building) 

BOUNDARIES For the avoidance of doubt, the conveyance will exclude a parcel of ground at the extreme southern end of the site and a right of way is to be granted by the purchasers to the owners of The Old Bakery for the benefit of car parking. The flowering border to the north of Tudor Cottage will be retained by Tudor Cottage for pedestrian access.



These excluded areas are outside the red line boundary but unmarked presently on site. Full clarification will be given during viewings. 

TRADING The current trade at The Red Lion is wet only and approximate turnover is stated as circa: £260,000 per annum.



Prospective purchasers will see this in itself as reasonable, but also the significant growth potential in a refit of the wet areas to accommodate enhanced social areas together with additional wet and dry trading areas, the potential of which will only be appreciated upon inspection. There is also scope to further extend into external areas/lower floor stables and beyond subject to planning and design.

 

RATING The Red Lion, Old Hall Street, Malpas is entered into the year 2010 Rating List of Cheshire West & Cheshire Council at a rateable value of £15,750. This may be eligible for small business or rural relief. Further details are available from Cheshire West & Chester Council Business Rates department. 

EPC The Red Lion is assessed at EPC Rating Band D. A full copy is available upon request. 

VAT All prices are quoted exclusive of VAT which may be charged at the prevailing rate where applicable. 

VIEWING Strictly by prior appointment to view the whole or informally during normal trading hours. All enquires to mileslewis@wrightmarshall.co.uk.



Viewing appointments by telephone at 01606 41318 or 01948 662281.