Nottingham pub re-opens as Spar convenience store

A closed Nottingham pub has re-opened as a modern, community-focused convenience store, after nearly 20 months of hard work, carried out by owner and store operator Bill Bains.

Acting on behalf of a corporate client, Christie + Co, the specialist property agent, sold the freehold of the closed Charles II pub at the end of the Bestwood Park shopping parade to Bains in December 2008, for an undisclosed sum, off an asking price of £450,000.

Taking on the conversion of the former pub to a modern convenience store himself, he knocked through and extended the property. All of the internal walls were removed and the majority of the roof to the rear needed replacing. When the shell was complete, work started on the internal fit out of the retail unit.

By the end of July this year, the store was finished to a very high standard with all modern energy saving lights, fridges and shelving equipment in place. The fully-stocked Spar-branded outlet was finally opened earlier this month and employs several new members of staff who are local to the store.

Bains said: “It has not been easy taking on such a big project but the store now looks excellent and I am very pleased to finally open the doors to the public. When I brought the pub it had been closed for two years, the roof leaked and it was a complete mess. We now boast a 3,000sq ft modern store, stocking a full range of products with off- licence and a customer car park. Customers are delighted with the new store and all it has to offer”.

Paul Shepherd, of Christie + Co’s Nottingham Office, who helped in the sale of the former pub to Bains and has kept in touch with him through the whole building and refitting process, said: “It is great to see the store finally open and looking so good after all Bill’s work. Rather than being another closed business it can become the heart of the local shopping community. We wish him all the best with his new venture.

“We have always seen a healthy interest from retailers regarding pubs designated for alternative use but the current increase in pub closures has led to further enquiries and opportunities across the country.

“The locations of these closed pubs make them perfect for convenience store operators, who will have a captive local customer-base on their doorstep from day one. The ease with which change of use can be gained without planning consent also increases the attractiveness of these opportunities.”

Source: Christie + Co