Location

Southam, Warwickshire

Asking price

£39,950 (Fixtures and fittings Inc.)

Turnover

£66,000

Net profit

Under £50,000

Property

Leasehold

Who’s it good for?

Personality is important in these kinds of businesses. If you’re selling sweets and ice cream it goes without saying that you should be friendly, approachable and ideally good with children.
Willpower is key – you don’t want to end up eating all of your stock!

The industry

Sparked by shows like the Great British Bake Off, puddings are rapidly growing in popularity, with more and more desert-only shops and gelaterias appearing across Britain.

The traditional sweetshop is also making a comeback as a new breed of old-fashioned shops are sweeping the high street.

The business

This popular ice cream parlour, sweet shop and café is located in the expanding market town of Southam in Warwickshire.

The population of the area is set to grow with an abundance of housing developments that will see the population increase from 6,000 to 10,000 by December.

Southam is easily accessible from the motorway networks and neighbouring towns and cities like Leamington spa and Coventry.

The business was set up by the current owners two years ago, reluctantly being offered up for sale, due to unforeseen personal circumstances.

During their ownership, they have refurbished the building and invested in new equipment and fixtures and fittings including: a sales counter, cash register, inside seating for 13 people, outside seating for two, display fridges, electronic scales, coffee machine, juice blenders, cake stands and wall units.

The property also has a functioning kitchen with sinks, electric double oven, microwave, fridges and freezers, food mixer, crepe machine and hot water boiler, as well as a disabled W/C.

The business is currently owner-operated and employs one Saturday girl, so there are minimal staffing costs.

The café serves a selection of teas and coffees, homemade cakes and savouries, deli boards which generate approximately 50 per cent of the turnover. The other 50 per cent is generated from the sale of traditional loose sweets, west country real dairy ice cream, milkshakes and smoothies.

Benefitting from its prominent position on the high street opposite the market traders, the business has a high footfall from tourists and repeat customers who come to visit the market.

The market area often hosts events like carnivals, fayres and retro events as well as the annual Christmas lights that the shop could capitalise on.

The business currently hosts events such as Chilli and Chocolate Evenings, has an ordering system for custom celebration cakes, a traditional sweet cart that customers can hire and provides a catering service for all occasions.

There is also potential to further the business and increase trade by opening on Sundays and expanding upon the current opening hours, introducing more events and applying for a license to serve alcohol.

This business is the perfect opportunity to purchase a business with loads of potential in a town that is still expanding.