No. 66 High Street, Alness is a terraced trading unit within an attractive traditional stone property. The unit is in the final stages of being renovated, with a view of maintaining the existing trading model of a café/restaurant. The renovations are of an excellent standard and must be viewed to be fully appreciated. No. 66 is a single storey building with an attic accessed via a ladder through a roof hatch. The unit is currently vacant and therefore available for immediate occupation.
This unit has independent street level access to the front and well renovated internal trading aspects. The unit also benefits from well-appointed preparation and storage areas located to the rear.
REASON FOR LEASE - The unit traded as a café/restaurant in the past, but since its vacation has been upgraded and renovated and is now available for re-let.
THE PROPERTY - No. 66 High Street, Alness is part of a terraced frontage, comprising different attractive construction styles of stone building. The property is ideally located close to local parking and is positioned centrally on the High Street.
The inviting entrance door to this property leads into a substantial lobby. To either side of the door there are large picture windows which, coupled with the Velux windows over the seating area, combine to provide a great level of natural lighting in the café. The result is a very enjoyable space to occupy. In addition to the shop retail areas there are preparation areas, public and staff WCs and store areas, all located to the rear of the retail space. The unit has a total area of about 105m². The space is flexible with options for high level displays over the front lobby. The windowed frontage allows for flexible merchandising and branding with ample space for signage both above, and on, the window. There is permitted access to the rear of the property to allow refuse removal etc.
Location
The Town of Alness is set immediately adjacent to the busy A9; the arterial route from Inverness to Thurso. The units are conveniently located, with some on street parking and located close to the local public car park. Nearby there is a good range of shops and offices etc. Alness is well served with facilities and services for visitors and residents alike. A central café/restaurant would do well in this location.
The recent creation of the Inverness and Cromarty Green Freeport along with future new housing developments in the town will benefit all businesses in the region, making now the time to start a new business in the area. The town is centrally located for exploring the wider Highland area, taking in its many attractions. Inverness, Culloden Battlefield and Loch Ness are all within a day-trip distance. Outdoor pursuits such as bird watching and fishing also draw a great many visitors to the region who take advantage of the abundance of wildlife. Within the Cromarty Firth seals are readily observed and, in the Moray Firth, dolphins are a great attraction. For the dedicated golfer there are a number of outstanding quality golf courses within the immediate area, the most famous being Royal Dornoch. Castles. Potteries and distilleries offer the more leisurely tourist ample places of culture, interest and history to visit. Alness enjoys a very good geographic location and is an ideal base from which visitors can continue their exploration of Sutherland, Caithness and the West Coast.
Accommodation
Size - 1,130 sq ft (105 sq m)
Terms
SERVICES - The units both benefit from mains electricity, natural gas, water and drainage.
PRICE - The details of the lease are as follows:
Deposit - 3 months’ rent
Rent - £18,200 (All costs to run the business are the responsibility of the tenant)
Rent Payments - Quarterly in advance
Lease Duration - Minimum 10 Years.
Rent Reviews - Every Five years in line with RPI.
Lease Type - Full Repairing, maintaining and insuring; lessee bears the cost of Insurance. Landlord takes out insurance and tenant reimburse as an additional cost, a management cost. Fuel costs are over and above the rental figure.
Fixtures and Fittings Inventory - To be compiled and agreed in advance.
Condition - Condition survey of building and all fixtures and fittings to be carried out (by mutual agreement and costs shared).
Entry Date - As mutually agreed.
EPC RATING - This property has an Energy Performance Rating of ‘TBC’.
RATES / COUNCIL TAX - The business rateable value of No. 66 is such that it should benefit from the 100% discount under the small business bonus scheme with a potential net liability of £zero for eligible businesses. The business rating reference is 03/22029300/3.
Specification
- Attractive leased retail unit extending to around 105m²
- Conveniently located centrally on Alness High Street close to great parking
- Prominent frontage with large display windows
- Great areas for high-profile signage, ideal for tenant branding options
- Scope to adapt current newly renovated fitout