Luton Based Van Rental Business Sold

Knightsbridge Business Sales have recently completed the sale of LU Car & Van Rental.

This van rental business was established over seven years ago, in a prominent location in Luton, Bedfordshire. With over 20 years of industry experience, the owners built an exceptional reputation and have accumulated a large range of vehicles as well as a growing client base.

Our client intended to relocate and instructed our services. Knightsbridge Business Sales generated a great deal of interest, with six buyer viewings and an offer being made. The business was sold to a private buyer for £122,000, with the buyer intending to work in the business whilst retaining the original staff.

Knightsbridge negotiator Sara Manville handled the sale of LU Car & Van Rental.

Birmingham Based Domiciliary Care Agency Sold

Quantum Domiciliary Care Limited was established over 10 years ago and has grown into a profitable business since. Offering all aspects of domiciliary care, including companionship, social activities, organisation, 24/7 care and shopping duties, among others, the agency works closely with clients with dementia, multiple sclerosis, and learning difficulties.

The business has 30% private clients and 70% local authorities, and prides itself on its excellent reputation and has never needed to advertise. The business also holds official accreditation with a rating of ‘good’ from the Care Quality Commission.

Based in Birmingham, the care agency occupies serviced offices close to the town centre. Working on an average of 450-500 hours of care per week, the business covers a radius of 15-20 miles from its offices.

Our client pursued a sale with the wish to retire. Knightsbridge negotiator, Leanne Boulding handled the sale of the business and generated plenty of interest with nine viewings arranged and one offer being made. The business was sold to trade buyer, Stephen Smith of Complete Care Services, for £85,000. The business was purchased as a bolt-on to the existing company and the new owner will be retaining the original staff.

A Long-Established Day Nursery Has Been Sold

Knightsbridge Business Sales have completed the sale of an Ofsted registered day nursery in Staffordshire.

St Thomas’ Day Nursery was established in Stoke-on-Trent, in 1989 and had been under our client’s ownership since 2004. During that time our clients, along with long serving, highly skilled and experienced staff members built an excellent reputation within the local area.

The nursery is registered for 49 children aged 0-4 and was operating at a capacity of just 50% of that figure, therefore presenting huge potential for growth in the future. The nursery had also undergone major refurbishment to offer a safer and more stimulating environment in the outdoor play area.

Our client pursued the sale of their business to focus on family commitments. Knightsbridge sold the business to a family who purchased it as an investment opportunity. Two of the nursery’s new owners intend to work within the business whilst retaining the original staff. The business was sold for £110,000.

Laura Simpson, who worked on behalf of our client commented: “It was a pleasure working with our client and the buyer. Over the course of the sale process, I felt we had built a good relationship and I’m thrilled to give our client the chance to put family first. I wish both parties all the best for the future.”

Vintage Tea Room Sold Successfully

Knightsbridge Business Sales have successfully completed the sale of a tea room and cake shop, for £22,000.

Jessica’s Tea Shop was established over 30 years ago in the small village of Weekley, just outside of Kettering, Northamptonshire. The tea room offers an extensive menu with a daily specials board and a special-occasion high tea, including a selection of mouth-watering cakes.

The business premise is located on a sought-after estate and includes a 3-bedroom cottage as part of the lease, as well as plenty of outdoor space.

Our client decided to instruct our services due to personal circumstances. The team at Knightsbridge Business Sales generated a great deal of interest, with 16 buyer viewings arranged, out of which two offers were made. The business was sold within 11 months of coming to market, and was purchased by private buyers who intend to work in the business on a full-time basis, taking over the vendors roles as well as retaining the 2 part-time members of staff.

Knightsbridge negotiator, Leanne Boulding handled the sale of the business and commented: “It was an absolute pleasure working with our client. I would like to wish them all the best in the future.”

Traditional Fish and Chip Shop Sold

Knightsbridge Business Sales has successfully completed the sale of Chapel Chippy, a Rochdale-based traditional fish and chip shop.

Chapel Chippy, otherwise known as JB’s Chippy, was established over 20 years ago, and has been under the direction of the current owner since 2011. Located in busy, main road premises, Chapel Chippy is ideally situated to benefit from passing traffic, able to park in front of the business without restriction. Having built up an impressive base of regular, repeat custom, the current owner decided to offer the business for sale in order to pursue other business interests.

Knightsbridge Business Sales was able to generate high levels of interest for the business, with a number of viewings arranged over the course of its time on the market. The eventual buyer, Mr Richard Ashton, purchased Chapel Chippy with the intention of working within the business full time.

Successful Sandwich Bar and Cafe Has Been Sold

Mr Bites Sandwich Bar and Café, a well-established Yorkshire-base café, has been purchased, as advised by Knightsbridge Business Sales.

Based in Castleford, West Yorkshire, the business has been established for over ten years, and has been under the direction of the current owner for over twelve months. Over this time, Mr Bites has been able to develop an enviable reputation and an excellent customer base, through a commitment to delivering quality products and a fantastic service.

Alongside a strong takeaway trade, Mr Bites also generates income from outside catering and two sign written vans that deliver goods to a large number of local businesses. Significant growth opportunities also existed with the development of the new Castleford Tigers rugby stadium being built approximately half a mile from the current premises. Due to the close proximity and size of the construction, the business has positively benefitted from increasing custom and reputation.

With intentions of pursuing other business interests, the owner of Mr Bites approached Knightsbridge and made the decision to sell. The business was sold to a private buyer, who hoped to continue running the day-to-day life of the business with the help of most of the original staff members.

Sara Manville of Knightsbridge Business Sales managed the deal through to completion and commented, “This was a hugely successful deal, in which our client was able to successfully and swiftly exit the business. I wish both our client and the buyer all the best in their new business ventures going forward.”

Ayshire-Based Petrol Station and Garage Successfully Sold

Knightsbridge Business Sales has successfully completed the sale of Afton Service Station for a final value of £125,000.

Having been in operation for almost 60 years, this successful petrol station and garage carries out servicing and MOTs for all makes of vehicle, and significant volumes of repair work plus strong sales of tyres, exhausts and batteries.

Afton Service Station is located on a main road, close to the centre of New Cumnock, Ayrshire. The business has performed consistently well throughout its trading history, with thanks to a strong database of regular and repeat customers, the majority of whom are based within a ten-mile radius of the premises.

Knightsbridge Business Sales identified that, under the direction of a new owner, the business could thrive and grow through the implementation of an active database, some advertising in local newspapers, and persistent leaflet drops, which would help to increase existing levels of business and build new trading relationships.

Afton Service Station was eventually sold to a private buyer, who hopes to grow the business in the coming years and use the purchase as an investment opportunity.

Vintage Tea Room Is Sold to Trade Buyer Within 7 Months

Puddin on the Ritz, a vintage, 1940’s inspired tea room, has been sold in a trade deal to owners of another cake and tea room.

Situated in an ideal, high street property in the tourist hotspot of Matlock, Derbyshire, Puddin on the Ritz is an award winning tea room that boasts a unique 1940’s experience. According to regular customers, “walking through the door is like stepping back in time”, as customers are greeted by original pieces and antiques from the war period. This truly bespoke atmosphere extends to small touches such as the menu design, which has been created to mirror the ration books used during World War II.

With the business proving to be extremely popular with local customers and tourists alike, Knightsbridge Business Sales understood that the opportunity to acquire Puddin on the Ritz would generate a high amount of interest, due to its exceptional and profitable business model.

After less than seven months of being on the market, Puddin on the Ritz was successfully sold to two owners of another cake and tea room, who were looking to purchase a similar business as a bolt-on to their existing business interests.

Leanne Boulding, of Knightsbridge Business Sales, managed the deal through to completion.

Domiciliary Care Organisation Sold Within 6 Months

Within 6 months of coming to the market, domiciliary care organisation, Quality Carers (UK) Limited has been sold by Knightsbridge Business Sales.

The home care organisation specialises in providing local domiciliary and home care, and supported living services to the elderly, people with dementia, a physical or learning disability, or those who need support during rehabilitation.

Based in Darlington in the North East, the business has a large catchment area covering Darlington and its surrounding areas. The care provider has secured its position within the market through the provision of exceptional levels of service, which is aided by highly skilled and professional staff.

Our client intends to stay on in the business while the investor, David Benison of DJB Consulting, purchased 80% of the shares within the business to aid in its growth.

Knightsbridge negotiator, Alexandra Greenwood, who handled the sale on behalf of our client, commented : 'the process from start to finish was highly enjoyable, especially as the client was lovely to work with and it was exceptionally easy to get along with the buyer. I would like to wish them all the best in their future endeavours.'

Well Established Vehicle Hire Business Sold

A car and commercial vehicle hire company has been sold for £108,000.

Seymour Hire Ltd was established over 30 years ago and has offered a range of vehicles for hire, from small cars to 7.5t lorries. With a 50/50 split of commercial and retail clients, there is a lot of repeat custom due to the company’s excellent reputation and high levels of customer service.

Located in Larkfield, near Maidstone, Kent, the business occupies a prominent position on New Hythe Lane and benefits from being located in a densely populated commercial area with a number of independent and well-known businesses situated in the surrounding area.

Due to personal circumstances, our client pursued a sale of the business. Knightsbridge Business Sales generated a viewing and an offer, before the business was sold to private buyer, Hayden Murrell. The incoming owner, intends to take over the vendors current position, whilst retaining the staff.

Long Established Newsagents Has Been Purchased

Knightsbridge Business Sales has completed the sale of a long-established newsagents in Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey.

Established over 57 years ago, Howes Newsagents has been under the ownership of our client for the past five decades. The business offers newspapers, magazines, lottery, stationery, cards, top ups and confectionery, as well as holding 9 paper rounds. Howes is situated in a densely populated area with no direct competition and holds a weekly turnover of approximately £10,000.

In order to retire, our client instructed our services. Knightsbridge Business Sales sought out trade buyer, Teerat Singh, who purchased the business for £190,000. Mr Singh is looking to work in the business on a full-time basis, initially.

Award Winning Guest House Sold

A guest house, rated as the No1 B&B in its area, has been successfully sold by Knightsbridge Business Sales.

Wilsons of Haworth was established in 2013 and has since built an excellent reputation through a focus on delivering excellent customer service and guest satisfaction. As a result, the guest house received regular and repeat bookings, including advance bookings well into 2017.

The service provided by our clients has led to many 5* review from satisfied guests. The business has also received the certificate of excellence from TripAdvisor and the Visit England 4* Silver Award.

Our client pursued a sale due to retirement, with Knightsbridge Business Sale selling the business within 8 months of it coming to the market. Private buyers, Brendan Sutherland and Josie Prince, purchased the business and property for £475,000. The new owners intend to relocate from London, replace the vendors role and implement their experience of working within the hospitality sector.

Popular Cafe Sold Within 6 Months

Knightsbridge Business Sales have successfully completed the sale of Sherry’s Café within 6 months of the business coming to the market.

The well-established café is in Heathfield, East Sussex and occupies a prominent trading location on the main road. The business has an excellent reputation and prides itself on brilliant customer service and quality of food. Offering a range of hot and cold foods including breakfast, homemade lunches and dinners, as well as a selection of hot and cold drinks, and homemade cakes, the café has something for everyone.

Due to poor health, our client instructed the services provided by Knightsbridge Business Sales. The popular café was sold to private buyer, Jackie Adams, for £79,000. Jackie intends to work within the business on a full-time basis.

Knightsbridge negotiator, Alexandra Greenwood, would like to wish both the purchaser and our client all the best for the future.

Popular Village Newsagents Has Been Purchased

A well-established and traditional newsagent has been sold by Knightsbridge Business Sales.

Village News, which has been under the ownership of our client since 2010, has been sold for £55,000. The newsagent occupies a prominent location in the heart of Worsley Village, Manchester, and offers a variety of products including newspapers, magazines, confectionary, greeting cards, stationary, toys, gifts, and tobacco.

Due to the prominent location, the business has enjoyed a large daily passing trade and high footfall, alongside having a high level of regular and repeat custom from residents that live locally.

Our client pursued a sale of the business due to retirement. The purchaser, Steve Brown, of Veritas Brown UK Ltd, bought the business for his wife.

Well Established Jointing Compound and Sealant Manufacturer Sold

Heldite Limited, a London based jointing compound and sealant manufacturer, has been sold to a trade buyer for £115,000 plus stock at value.

The adhesive manufacturer was established in 1922 and has created a universal sealant which has proved invaluable in the evolving technological world. The business has been owned and run by one family for almost 50 years, who successfully guided the business through the recession onto a steady path. The business has shown a steady growth since with growing exports representing around 39% of turnover.

Our client pursued a sale of the business to retire. Knightsbridge Business Sales generated plenty of interest for such a well-established business, with two viewings arranged and one offer being made. Trade buyer, Rustins Limited purchased the business with the intention of relocating operations to their base in North West London and retaining the staff.

Award Winning Footwear Retailer Sold to Private Buyer

Knightsbridge Business Sales have successfully completed the sale of a national award-winning children’s footwear retailer.

Heavenly Soles, trading as Stampede, was established over 10 years ago and has since accumulated a large database of customers, and built a strong online and social media presence. The business has also been recognised by the footwear industry after having been voted as the UK's leading Children's Independent Footwear Retailer 2014, as well as winning other awards previously.

Stampede offers a complete range of stylish children’s footwear and clothing including school shoes, trainers, and a whole host of accessories. Stocking an extensive array of items from over 30 different brands from all over the world, the business caters to children from newborn to 13 years of age.

The store is based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and occupies a very prominent trading position in the heart of the busy town centre, thus benefitting from passing trade. The business also holds an excellent reputation and a high number of regular, repeat, and referral custom thanks to its extremely knowledgeable staff.

Knightsbridge were instructed to sell the business as the vendor was looking to pursue other business interests. Knightsbridge generated a fair amount of interest, with two viewings arranged, out of which an offer was made and accepted. The business was sold to a private buyer for £57,370. The buyer intends to take over and manage the store whilst retaining the original full and part time staff.

First Steps Pre-School Sold to Private Buyers

First Steps Pre-School has been successfully sold to private buyers for a total of £67,500.

The pre-school was registered in 2006 and has since operated from a large Grade 2 listed, stone-built property in the centre of Liskeard, Cornwall. The pre-school receives funding for the provision of free early education for two, three and four-year old children. The pre-school also supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and supports those who are learning English as an additional language.

Aiming to retire, Knightsbridge Business Sales were brought on hand to assist with the sale of the business. Private buyers, Mr and Mrs Urie, purchased the pre-school and intend to relocate from Milton Keynes to run the business. The new owners of First Steps Pre-School will retain the original staff.

Knightsbridge negotiator, Laura Simpson built an excellent relationship with the vendor and would like to wish them all the best in the future.

E-commerce Pet Business Sold Within 9 Months

Pets Perfect, a North-Yorkshire based e-commerce business, has been successfully sold to a trade buyer.

The business was established in 2004 and specialises in pet supplies. Originally the business generated the majority of its sales from having stands at various trade shows throughout the country and since acquiring the business our client has worked tirelessly building its e-commerce platform. Through a focus on delivering excellent products alongside high levels of customer service the business has built a large customer database and receives regular and repeat custom.

Knightsbridge Business Sales assisted in the sale of Pets Perfect, selling the business for £12,000 within 9 months of it coming to the market. Our vendor is going to pursue other business interests while trade buyer, Phoenix Global Enterprises intends to continue trading under the same name.

Domiciliary Care Provider Successfully Sold

Care 4U Services, a Birmingham-based domiciliary care provider, has successfully been sold.

Established in 2007, Care 4U provides care and support services to clients in the comfort of their own homes, allowing clients to remain independent whilst receiving the medical attention they require. In the years since inception, Care 4U has rapidly developed into a well-respected provider of care to the local community, and has attained a license to offer care services to people aged 18 and upwards with a variety of conditions and disabilities.

Knightsbridge Business Sales acknowledged that a number of growth opportunities existed within the development of an advertising strategy and further expansion of the firm’s client base and geographical reach. This scope for development was made clear to potential buyers during the sale process.

The business was sold to the Pabani family on behalf of Grovewood Residential Home, a 32-bed residential care facility based in Birkenhead. Established in 1986, Grovewood is dedicated to providing consistently safe, high-quality and reliable care and support to clients with individual needs and requirements. The Pabani family are no strangers to the business sale process, after purchasing Grovewood in early 2016.

Mike Falconer, Relationship manager at Barclays, arranged funding for the buyer and commented, “We were happy to assist the Pabani family with competitive funding terms. Supported by a keen lender and the highly experienced existing management team, we believe that the new owners of Care 4U will be successful in bringing the business forward into the wider community.”

Laura Simpson, of Knightsbridge Business Sales managed the sale through to completion and commented, “With Care 4U hoping to expand into other areas, Birkenhead-based Grovewood was the perfect buyer. I know that both companies will work well together, and I wish the best of luck to all involved.”

Cleaning Company Sold Within 6 Months

KLBS, a corporate cleaning company has been sold within 6 months of coming to the market.

The office cleaning company was established in 1991 and is located in St Neots, a town in Cambridgeshire. The business has been run to an excellent standard ever since and as a result has built up a strong customer base.

Our client pursued the sale of their company to retire. Knightsbridge Business Sales generated plenty of interest with 3 viewings and 2 offers being made. The business was eventually sold to trade buyer, Gary Lloyd from DES Enterprises Ltd, for £38,000. The incoming buyer purchased the cleaning company with the aim of adding it to his existing business and will retain the existing members of staff.

Knightsbridge Business Sales Complete the Sale of Cheylesmore News

A convenience store, based in Coventry, has been sold successfully.

Cheylesmore News is an established Newsagent that has been trading since 2010, offering a large selection of stationery, confectionery, newspapers and tobacco, a grocery section with fresh produce sale and a gift shop section offering greeting cards and various gifts. The business offered several attractive features, including a prominent corner trading position, regular and repeat custom, as well as scope for growth.

The business was sold for £75,000 plus stock at value to a private buyer. The incoming buyer intends to retain the staff and work in the business on a full-time basis.

Sandwich Bar Sold Successfully

Bocadillo's, a sandwich bar situated in the heart of the picturesque town of North Walsham in North Norfolk, has been sold for £87,000 plus stock at value.

The business was purchased in 2011 by our client who applied all of his knowledge and experience in the catering industry into making the business one of the best sandwich shops in the area. The reputation has been built on local premier quality food, using top quality, locally sourced products and providing first class customer services.

The business was sold to a private buyer who purchased the sandwich bar as a planned investment. Now that the business has been successfully sold, our client aims to enjoy his well-earned retirement.

Estate Agents Sold Within 6 Months

Clarke & Clarke, an estate agents based in Market Harborough, has been sold within 6 months of coming to the market.

This well-established estate agents operates in the residential, commercial and lettings sectors. The company has a respected reputation in the sector and benefits from being situated in a substantial high street premises.

Knightsbridge Business Sales generated plenty of interest for our vendor who was looking to retire; this included 2 viewings and 2 offers being made.

The business was sold for £32,000, to a private buyer who lives locally and intends to take over the vendor’s role whilst retaining the original staff.

Sandwich Bar Sold Successfully

The Dome Restaurant has been sold successfully for £175,000.

The Dome is an extremely successful, well established and renowned business that benefits from high volumes of repeat custom due to its prominent trading location in the popular tourist area of Blairgowrie, Scotland.

Established over 100 years ago, the business had been under the ownership of our client since 1999. With the intention of pursuing alternative opportunities and more importantly, spending more time with his family, our client pursued the sale of his business.

Knightsbridge Business Sales generated a total of 4 viewings with 1 offer being made. The business and property were then sold to private buyers who intend on leaving work to enter into the vendor’s role with the original staff being retained.

Knightsbridge Complete the Sale of a Comic/ Bookshop Retailer

A comic and book retailer in Todmorden, Lancashire, has been sold by Knightsbridge Business Sales.

Border Bookshop was established in 1980 and offers a variety of stock including children’s books, annuals, magazines, sports books, and British comics.

Our client decided to instruct our services to pursue retirement and the team at Knightsbridge completed the sale just 9 months after the business came to the market. The freehold investment property and business was sold for £145,000 and purchased by a private buyer who intends to grow the business.

Knightsbridge negotiator, Laura Simpson handled the sale of the bookshop and would like to wish the vendor all the best for the future and hopes that they enjoy a well-earned retirement.

In dealing with Knightsbridge, our client said: “I would just like to thank you for your hard work in making sure that the sale went ahead. I have no hesitation in recommending Knightsbridge to anyone looking to sell their business in the future.”

To read a full testimonial from our client, please click here.