Home :: Search :: Results :: Detailed View

Description

Attractive and traditional, fully Licensed, top quality, VisitScotland 4 star Hotel. Totally refurbished premises, the business offered for sale in pristine condition. Excellent coastal trading location on the scenic Orkney Isles enjoying tremendous views. High rising turnover and excellent profitability from established year round mixed trade. 6 most comfortable en-suite letting bedrooms plus two immaculate newly refurbished suites.

The Sands Hotel needs no introduction on the Island of Orkney and has built an excellent reputation which stretches far beyond its beautiful island home. This substantial and attractive property with its commanding presence overlooking Watersound Bay was originally built in 1860 as a fishstore and developed into the centrepoint of a herring station in the late 19th century. The smart, modern hotel that exists today bears testament to a decade of development and reinvestment in the business by the present owners resulting in a VisitScotland 4 star grading.

The business has now established an excellent reputation and a high level of repeat trade for many years benefiting from its range of smart modern facilities which generate an excellent turnover and a well supported year round trade. Income is split across the three traditional income streams - wet sales, catering and accommodation. On the beverage side the robust range of public areas including the bright Conservatory, Lounge Bar and popular Public Bar combine to generate strong joint turnover, whilst the hotel has a good name on the catering front, offering meals to residents and non-residents alike both at lunch time and in the evening. Meals are prepared from produce sourced locally from Orkney’s rich larder. The Islands are famous as a prime source of fish / shellfish and local lamb, not forgetting renowned Orkney Beef. Local Ice Cream and Island Cheeses are further examples of the islands’ ready bounty. The Sands offers a range of dining formality, from less formal bar meals, relaxed dining in the atmospheric conservatory or evening dining in the hotel’s smart Restaurant. Exceptional Guest accommodation of 6 most comfortable en-suite letting bedrooms combines with two immaculate, newly formed suites to complete the appeal of this thriving business. Add the warm welcome from local Island staff and the all round appeal and success of the hotel is no mystery.

The Sands Hotel is located in Burray village on Orkney, easily accessible by road from Kirkwall and Stromness which have air and ferry links to the Scottish mainland. In addition a car ferry arrives at nearby St Margaret’s Hope only 3 ½ miles away which generates considerable passing trade. A new catamaran ferry due to be commissioned on this route in Summer 2008 can only enhance this income stream. The village itself is enjoying a period of expansion with many new houses planned and currently being built.

The Orkney Islands are located just off the northern tip of Scotland, and consist of an archipelago of 70 or so islands and skerries. The islands are home to around 19,000 islanders, who enjoy an enviable quality of life, amidst stunning and varied scenery, all bounded by the ever-changing sea.
Besides abundant wildlife, Orkney holds possibly the greatest concentration of archaeology in NW Europe, including the unique Neolithic village of Scara Brae, and the group of sites clustered around the Ring of Brodgar, and known as Orkney’s Neolithic Heartland, which was granted World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1999.

In addition to exploring the fascinating history of the islands, visitors can enjoy both the vibrant contemporary culture, or a wide range of activities including excellent fishing, birdwatching, golf, climbing, walking and sailing, though many merely chill out amongst the peaceful ambience of the islands or partake of a dram of award winning Malt Whisky at Highland Park, Britain’s most northerly Malt distillery. Other than strong year round local support over 200,000 people use the excellent air and sea links to visit Orkney every year, such visitors providing additional valuable trade for the Sands Hotel.

The current proprietors purchased the hotel in 1998 and have enjoyed a rewarding and profitable lifestyle at the helm of this successful business. During their tenure exhaustive refurbishments have been carried out, placing the business particularly well to drive increased turnover. It is planned retiral that brings this commercial business opportunity onto the market. Whilst the hotel benefits from an established reputation and good track record there remains scope for enthusiastic new owners to further develop trade beyond its presently successful level.

THE PROPERTY
The Sands Hotel is a substantial detached property of traditional construction dating back to the latter part of the 19th Century. Stone built under a pitched slate roof, the hotel has accommodation arranged over 3 levels together with more modern single storey additions. There are small areas of well maintained flat roofing to both the front and rear of the property.

PUBLIC AREAS
The main entrance to the Hotel is conveniently located directly off the spacious car park, and leads through reassuringly solid double wooden doors, to a small vestibule. To the left a corridor leads past well appointed washrooms for ladies, gents and disabled customers, with baby changing facilities incorporated in the latter, providing a rear access to the Public Bar. Returning to the entrance vestibule, an interior door gives entry to the Reception Hallway, where the convenient Reception Desk backs onto a spacious and well equipped Administrative Office.

To the right of the reception area the main stairwell gives access to the Letting Accommodation which is set on the first and second floors. The stairway is carefully crafted in pine, built around a former ships mast, and extremely well lit by a large attractive circular window looking out onto Burray village. Diagonally opposite the reception desk, an interior door leads into the Lounge Bar. The Lounge Bar is spacious and comfortably furnished, and tacitly separated from the main Restaurant area by a low wood rail supported by salvaged and restored ships’ masts which continue the perfectly understated nautical theme throughout. This continues in the range of maritime pictures ranged around the beautiful Restaurant which benefits from half wood panelling on the walls and furnishings of an excellent quality, providing 40 covers.

The Lounge and adjacent Public Bars are serviced by a convenient and efficient back to back servery which offers ready access to the main hotel kitchen.

The Conservatory was added six years ago, and runs along the front of the Hotel, giving uninterrupted views across the village Pier and out over the Sound to the neighbouring island of South Ronaldsay. This is a beautiful, solidly constructed addition to the Hotel’s facilities with pine double glazed windows, beamed ceiling and a rear wall with the original local stonework of the old central building exposed to great effect. Tasteful and comfortable wicker style chairs and circular tables allow a further 20 covers in matchless surroundings. Immediately to the left of the Conservatory itself, a small vestibule is entered through a solid wooden door, providing the main front entry to the Hotel.

Portholes in the doors continue the historic seafaring theme, and from this area entry is made to the Public Bar. This is a spacious and well designed area, providing both generous capacity for the Pool table, video game, fruit machine, Jukebox and Flat Screen Television, but also comfortable and more intimate areas of soft seating, with appropriate carpeting and tables. An ingenious hidden trap in the wall allows the Pool Table to be quickly moved to an adjacent store should demand for floor space necessitate its temporary removal. The walls again are half wood panelled, and the main floor area of polished wood. The Bar itself is shaped in the form of a fishing vessel’s hull and has a well stocked gantry, again the maritime theme continues with genuine salvaged and polished ship’s masts as uprights, and charts, a propeller, lifebelts and a ship’s wheel on the walls. The Public bar is well designed and in excellent decorative order, and its provision for a sizeable number of patrons, reflects the success and importance of the Hotel’s place in the life of the local community.

LETTING BEDROOMS
The hotel has 6 exceptionally comfortable letting bedrooms to sleep 12 guests (4 Double and 2 Twin). These are all impeccably furnished and are well-appointed with modern en-suite facilities. Rooms have radio/alarms, tea/coffee making trays, direct dial telephones and colour televisions. The 4 double are set on the first floor, the twin bedded rooms on the second floor, all located to the front of the building with the benefit of outstanding seaward views.

LETTING SUITES
During 2007 the current owners created two beautiful new letting suites which were ready for letting in the latter part of the year. Known as Scapa and Watersound, these are poised to generate significant income during 2008 and already show very positive signs in terms of popularity and bookings to date.

Both letting suites are entered from the first floor of the hotel, on this level they have their Kitchen, Bathroom, Dining Area and Lounge each with an internal staircase to two bedrooms on the second floor.

The suites have been very well thought out and benefit from a fully fitted, well equipped kitchen complete with smart tiling, modern worktops / units and a range of spotlights and under counter lighting. Each has its own cooker with extract hood, fridge and all expected appliances from microwave to kettle toaster etc.

The Lounge and Dining Room areas are open plan, and in keeping with the top quality of the suites, hardwood furnishings are first class. Soft furnishings are refreshingly imaginative and both carpets and floorcoverings are tasteful throughout. Both suites have widescreen televisions modern feature fires and areas of wall where the rough hewn Orkney stone is exposed as a feature, to good effect.

Hand made staircases are testament to the quality of the craftsmanship throughout complete with smart pine panelling which is continued upstairs in the ingoes of the modern double glazed windows. Upstairs each suite sleeps 4 guests with one double bedroom and a twin.
Bedrooms have all the facilities of the hotel letting bedrooms.

OWNERS ACCOMMODATION
The present owners have a private house nearby at St Margaret's Hope, however, regularly choose to stay at the hotel overnight, utilising one of the Letting Bedrooms. New owners may opt to occupy one of the smart new suites.

SERVICE AREAS
The hotel has a good-sized well equipped kitchen with an excellent commercial catering capability. High quality industrial floor coverings, multi ringed gas burners with full vented extract system and a new commercial combi oven form part of the impressive set up. There is an adjacent washing-up area, laundry room and an auxiliary servery between the kitchen and dining areas. The hotel also benefits from a dry goods store, substantial fridge / freezer capacity and has a good sized beer cellar conveniently located close to both bars.

To the rear of the building off the Public Bar is another internal storage room and two further such storage areas accessed from outside. There is a second Laundry Room which has both washer and dryer and a shower which is available for non-residents, such as divers to use.

A large Portacabin sits to the rear of the hotel and is tremendously useful as another watertight storage area, however, with modest effort this could perhaps be adapted to provide accommodation for seasonal staff.

Off the main Reception Hallway are two further substantial storage spaces, one is used by the housekeepers as a linen store whilst the other presently holds unused tables / chairs etc. for use if setting out for a function or similar.

GROUNDS
A substantial car park to the rear of the hotel provides parking for roughly 40 cars. Adjacent to the car park the hotel owns a further strip of ground which is presently used as a drying green.
Such is the proximity of the business to the foreshore that there is no significant garden to the front other than a patio area which is easily maintained.

SERVICES
Mains electricity, Water supply and Private Drainage. Electric heating, Propane gas. Broadband facilities.

LICENCES
The business has a Full Hotel Licence with Regular Extensions and a Children's Certificate

TRADING INFORMATION
The Sands Hotel is a mature and profitable business achieving strong net rising turnover in excess of £400,000 per annum. It is expected that the new guest suites will boost this figure in 2008. Accounting information will be made available to seriously interested parties subsequent to formal viewing.

PRICE
Offers over £795,000 are invited for the heritable property complete with goodwill and trade contents (according to inventory), excluding personal items. Stock at valuation.

FINANCE & LEGAL SERVICES
ASG Commercial is in touch with several lenders who provide specialist finance to the hospitality trade. We will be delighted to discuss your financing requirements with you and make an appropriate introduction.

We have a large team of legal experts in-house and can act in all legal matters arising to include Conveyancing and Licence Transfers.

DIRECTIONS
The Orkney Islands are well serviced by three ferries which run from Caithness in the north of Scotland. Two ferries depart from Gill’s Bay and John O’Groats on the mainland, arriving at St Margaret’s Hope. The third ferry runs from Scrabster to Stromness on Orkney. An alternative is to fly to Kirkwall airport, only 15 miles away.

VIEWING
All appointments to view must be made through the vendors selling agents:

ASG Commercial
York House
20 Church Street
Inverness IV1 1ED

Tel: 0845 4500790
Fax: 01463 711083

OFFERS
All offers should be submitted in writing to ASG Commercial with whom purchasers should register their interest if they wish to be advised of a Closing Date.