Blog


Small businesses urged to choose advice carefully

Small businesses and potential business buyers have been advised to consider their sources of advice carefully.

A recent article from Jonathan Richards, writing for smallbusiness.co.uk, highlighted the benefits that can come from working with professionals who bring a range of specialist skills to the table.

However, it pays to choose carefully. It's usually quite easy to tell who isn't interested in a mutuall... Continue Reading


Small businesses facing difficulties with cash flow

Cash flow has become a major issue for small businesses in the UK, potentially pushing up the number of businesses facing administration.

According to a recent report from Santander Corporate & Commercial, nearly half of British SMEs are worried about managing their cash flow over the next 12 months.

The research, which looked at 451 companies with a turnover of over £50,000, also discovered that 46 per cent of busine... Continue Reading


Report highlights importance of food sales to pubs

A recent report has highlighted the importance of food sales to pubs and other catering businesses, as well as the mixture of income sources that contribute to a successful business.

Conducted by trade consultants CGA Strategy, the research found that 67 per cent of all pub sales on a Sunday come from foods. In fact, in the UK alone, roast dinners account for £867 million in sales.

Sunday sales also come from 'low... Continue Reading


Pub for sale due to career shift

The owners of the Holden Arms pub in Haslingden have put the business on the market as they make plans for a change in career, the Lancashire Telegraph has reported.

John and Karen Shawcross have managed the venue since 2006 but they're now looking for something new and the pub is for sale for around £110,000.

The business is open seven days a week and has a mix of income bases, including food and drink sales. Continue Reading


Fox & Hounds Shipston on the market

The Fox & Hounds pub in Shipston has been put on the market as the family that currently own it are set to enter retirement.

The Grade-II listed building currently offers a range of carefully chosen wines and draft beers, as well as a bar menu. There are also one twin bedroom and two double bedrooms that are currently let out. Each room has en-suite facilities and offer views to the surrounding countryside.

The building... Continue Reading


Four pubs sold at auction

Four pubs from the Farlane Property Group have been sold at auction, it has been confirmed.

A total of eight of the company's properties were up for auction at the Allsop event, with prices ranging from £120,000 to £207,000. The four that were eventually sold were The Albion in Plymouth, which went for £15,000; The Lord Napier in the Wirral, which sold for £120,000; The Red Jackle in Tyne & Wear, which was sold for £175,000... Continue Reading


Cold weather hits pub profits

The weather has had a noticeable impact on the profits of pubs this year, potentially opening up some distressed opportunities.

According to the Spirit Pub Company, a firm that owns a number of establishments across the country, sales at the company's managed pubs were down 1.1 per cent in the past two months when compared with the same period last year. Food sales dropped by 0.3 per cent, while drink sales fell 3.4 per cent.Continue Reading


Tea room in Rawtenstall for sale

A popular tea room and cupcake shop in Rawtenstall is due to be put on the market as its owner is set to relocate.

The Right RoyalTea Party business, on Ormerod Street, opened in 2011 and last year took the New Business of the Year award in the Rossendale Business Awards. The Fantasy Cupcakes division of the business has been in operation for five years and is also popular with locals.

Owner Melinda Foster is selling the... Continue Reading


Small businesses in need of tech skills

Small businesses have indicated that they feel they are in need of upping their skills when it comes to technology.

Research from Simply Business found that one in five business owners do not think that they have the basic IT skills they require to run their business. Furthermore, 40 per cent reckon that their lack of skills are holding back their business.

Unfortunately, these worries are far from unfounded. Technology ... Continue Reading


North York Moors pub for sale

A pub in the North York Moors is up for sale after the current owners' circumstances changed.

The Blacksmiths Arms is a two-storey, stone-built detached pub near Pickering and, in addition to two bar areas, features a restaurant, 19 letting bedrooms, owners' accommodation and three and a half acres of land.

Ryan Lynn, who is handling the sale, told the York Press about the reasons behind the decision to sell: �... Continue Reading


Horse meat scandal brings boost to local businesses

Local food and beverage businesses could be worth investing in at the moment as the recent horse meat scandal has brought an unlikely boost to business.

It appears that the scandal, which focused around the discovery of horse meat in various beef products sold by major supermarket chains, has seen people shift their attention away from large chains and on to local businesses they feel they can trust.

According to reports... Continue Reading


Historic Essex pub for sale

An Essex-based historic pub is up for sale, with a freehold asking price of around £365,000.

The Green Man, in Howe Street, Chelmsford, dates back to the 14th century and is thought to be the oldest pub still in operation in Essex.

The property includes a lounge bar, restaurant and five bedrooms, alongside a car park, trade garden and terrace. Also included in the sale is a large parcel of land to the rear that could be... Continue Reading


Small business people ‘keen to network’

Those just starting out in business or looking to buy their first small company are likely to find that networking can be a great tool for growth.

Research conducted by MOO, a digital print business, has found that more and more small firms are keen to network with others and expand their operations or contacts.

The company surveyed its followers on Facebook and Twitter as to what they saw as their biggest barrier to bus... Continue Reading


Pubs 'n' Bars group pubs for sale

A group of pubs around the country has been put on the market either for individual sale or as a group lot.

The administrators of the Pubs 'n' Bars group, which entered administration in December 2009, have put a total of 20 pubs up for sale, including four sites in London.

Simon Chaplin, director of Christie & Co, which is handling the sale on behalf of administrators Grant Thornton, commented: "The pubs are i... Continue Reading


Online trading offers new small business opportunities

Research has suggested that there could be a raft of new opportunities for small business buyers who are interested in online companies.

According to the latest annual survey from Freelancer.co.uk, the past year has seen a 36 per cent rise in the number of small businesses that are selling their products overseas via e-commerce websites.

Furthermore, there has been a 32 per cent rise in the number of start ups establish... Continue Reading