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Change of use application could help pub sale

A pub in Oxford has been on the market for 12 months with no successful sale in sight, prompting its owners to make a change of use application to Oxford City Council.

The owners of the former Osney Arms pub want to convert the pub into guest rooms because, as planning agent Linda Wright noted, the pub is unviable in its current state.

She told the Oxford Times: "The pub has been on the market for 12 months and there ha... Continue Reading


Community keen for St Ann's pub sale

The community in St Ann's is keen to see a sale go through for The Westminster pub in the near future.

The pub is no longer actively trading but Punch Taverns, the firm that owns the company, is hopeful for a sale. “The pub will remain closed for the foreseeable future and we are actively marketing the site for sale,” the owners said in a statement.

It is hoped that a buyer will be found soon to avoid the pub b... Continue Reading


Pub for sale in Sheffield

The Noose and Gibbett Inn, a pub located in Broughton Lane, Sheffield, is to be put up for sale.

Situated opposite the Motorpoint Arena and next to the Valley Centertainment leisure complex, the pub is well-located to catch nearby trade. It is also easily accessible from the M1 motorway and the Meadowhall Shopping Centre is not far away.

The current owners have had the pub since 1991, however the business has been in exi... Continue Reading


Pub sale price too high?

A pub that is up for sale in Linley Brook has been deemed too expensive for its location given the current state of business.

The Pheasant Inn, which is owned by Simon Reed, previously agreed a sale in 2008 for £600,000, but the buyers later went into liquidation. Since then, the pub attempted to limp on but business never quite picked up and it was forced to close its doors earlier this year.

Mr Reed has sought permiss... Continue Reading


Wyndham Arms on the market

A pub in Kingsbury Episcopi is on the market after the owner decided he wants to look for a new start with his wife.

Rob Rigby married his wife Linda earlier this year and the pair have opted to look for a new venture that they can call their own. This means that Mr Rigby's pub, The Wyndham Arms, which has always been very much his, is up for sale.

Speaking to The Western Gazette, the landlord said: “It&#... Continue Reading


Morecambe bar for sale

A bar in Morecambe that had previously been run as a pole dancing establishment, is being put up for sale.

The Office bar on Marine Road Central closed down in 2007 due to a lack of business. Following its closure, the owners had planned to covert the six-floor 13,750 sq ft premises into an Eric Morecambe-themed pub and museum. Negotiations were ongoing with the comedian's family, but these plans came up against problems when th... Continue Reading


SMEs warned of tax fines

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been warned that they need to stay on top of their taxes, especially as HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has increased its focus on smaller companies.

National accountancy group UHY Hacker Young has revealed that SMEs netted HMRC £434 million in extra tax and fines in the 2011-12 tax year, marking a significant increase from the £311 million collected in the previous tax year. It is worth n... Continue Reading


Windsor pub for sale

A pub in the centre of Windsor has been put up for sale, it has been confirmed.

The Fawn, located in St Leonard's Road, is being sold by its owners Punch Taverns, with a pub and bar specialist appointed to manage the sale.

At the moment it is unclear what kind of parties are showing an interest in the pub. It has been given a price tag of £550,000 on the freehold, contents and premises but it is uncertain whether i... Continue Reading


Family-run hotel for sale in Kent

A family-run hotel in Kent has been put on the market after its owners decided to exit the industry following 30 years in business.

The three-star Langhorne Garden Hotel near Leas Cliff Hall has been run by the Fell family since 1981, according to reports from the Folkstone Herald. However, the hotel itself was originally built in the 1870s and attracted wealthy Londoners to the area.

Now, the 29-bedroom property attract... Continue Reading


SMEs 'still struggling'

Smaller companies are still facing difficulties when it comes to building their businesses back up to health in the wake of the economic crisis.

This is according to a recent report from the European Commission, which found that SMEs are making slow process, with UK-based companies seeing things as a particular challenge.

On one hand, the news is worrying for the economy as a whole, given the high percentage of business... Continue Reading


Sale of pubs defies gloomy economic climate

With the seemingly never-ending stream of negative economic news, it can be hard to see that there are still some great business opportunities out there.

Among them, is the idea of running a local pub, which many landlords are still doing successfully, despite the onslaught of headlines highlighting the difficulties in the business.

A group of pubs across the South West have become the latest to change hands as new owne... Continue Reading


Small businesses increasingly using social media

Small businesses are becoming more and more aware of the benefits of online marketing and are now starting to convert their online awareness into real sales.

It has long been established that new business is often best found through existing customers passing the message on. When the internet is included in this equation, the number of people that recommendations can reach is almost limitless.

There are a number of ways ... Continue Reading


FSB urges extension of NI holiday

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called for an extension of the National Insurance (NI) contributions holiday given to smaller employees.

Under the current scheme, new businesses outside of the South East and East of England and London receive a break in paying NI for up to ten new staff.

A total of £800 million in government funding has already been allocated to the scheme. But the FSB has used the Conserva... Continue Reading


Sale of pub brings hope for locals

A former pub in Blurton, Staffordshire, has been put up for sale, bringing hope to the local community that the site will be redeveloped.

The Swallows Next in Ufton Close has been boarded up for more than ten years after the pub closed its doors. The property has since been the target of vandals and arsonists and residents have been left feeling uncomfortable about the state of the building.

However, an auction will now ... Continue Reading


Chorley pub for sale

A Chorley pub has been put up for sale after undergoing refurbishment, it has been confirmed.

Developer Arley Homes purchased The Dog and Partridge in Charnock Richard last year as part of its Birches development. Concern arose that the pub would be demolished to make way for new houses but it is now clear that the company has given the pub a facelift and put it back on the market.

John Cosgrave, managing director of the... Continue Reading