Buying an existing Sandwich bar

Jon, Is the business a limited company or a sole trader/partnership? When you say you are buying the business what does it entail? ie. creditors,fixed assets, lease of premises, staff (these tend to stay the same). Barr Stevenson Chartered Accountant http:/www.our-accountants.co.uk
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Barr Stevenson
Chartered Accountant
http:/www.jsaccountants.co.uk

The enforcement of the strict rules of A3 consent varies between geographical areas so reheating cold pies for eating off the premises and hot drinks is common although it is not strictly allowed other than with A3 consent. Best way is to check with the local planning office as to their own policy. In addition I would also advocate that you get legal advice as early as possible particularly if there are staff involved. Leases need looking at early on as do the agreement of what is involved in the sale. You also need to get an accountant involved to really check out the accounting records to ensure you are protected. James Smith who advised on here offers a clear and low cost service. let me know if I can help further we assist with all forms of business sale.
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Lee Schwartz Lime One Ltd www.limeone.com 01244 852550

Thanks a lot for the replies. We are to trade as sole traders and the business will be a lease of a premise. We are hoping not to involve additional staff as the shops we are looking at are not too large and trade off £1,500 a week. Who do we contact to obtain a copy of the lease. Would this be done via the Transfer Agents. Also are the reasons for the cuurent occupier seeling legally binding. The reason being is some of them have been questionable eg. they have only been tenants fot 18 months themselves but are claiming they want to spend more time with their young family. Thanks ! Jon

Jon, It sounds to me like you are taking over the lease of the shops rather than buying the business. Are you keeping the previous peoples trading name, and their equipment? Barr Stevenson Chartered Accountant http:/www.our-accountants.co.uk
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Barr Stevenson
Chartered Accountant
http:/www.jsaccountants.co.uk

The leases should be available from the agents but it sounds like you are buying 'going concerns', if this is the case, as Barr says you will have employees and other considerations to consider and not just the lease. No the words as to why the current owners are selling are not legally binding but if you do not believe their stories then you need to spend a lot of time with their accounts!
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Lee Schwartz Lime One Ltd www.limeone.com 01244 852550

Hi Jon Other factors to consider include the age and condition of the equipment, what ongoing maintenance costs are there likely to be? Have you had the books checked over by a qualified accountant or auditor? The 'time' issue is highly plausible. I have spent many years in the hospitality trade and would agree with the seller that they are away from their young family for too many hours every day/week etc. If I had a young family, I personally would not be in the food trade (unless it was Monday to Friday only - during business hours) Good luck with your venture and let us know how you get on. Glenn Global Investor
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Glenn Watson Business Consultancy @ Inzvestor

Hi, thanks again for the replies. We are looking at relatively small sandwich bars that hopefully we can run by ourselves without any other employees. Hopefully we would be keeping the existing trading name although some of the ones we have seen might change our minds (Big Baps ??!!!). One of the bars we have looked at is one of 5 well kept shops in a row. The equipment has been regularly serviced and they have been trading there for quite a few years and are now retiring. Unfortunately 2 of the 5 shops are empty. Does anyone know how we can find out why they are empty and what happened to the previous tenants. Finally how much are we looking at to pay an accountant to look over the books ? Thanks in advance ! Jon

It depends on the work which you require the accountant to perform. The element of risk involved in the work is quite high and hence a mini audit is generally performed. Also within the purchase of a business you will want to instruct a solicitor to draw up a contract to ensure that the previous business does not set up again in close proximity to you. I am afraid it is difficult to give you a figure for this until actual figures are given. Barr Stevenson Chartered Accountant http:/www.our-accountants.co.uk
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Barr Stevenson
Chartered Accountant
http:/www.jsaccountants.co.uk

Due to being 'pipped to the post' on buying an existing Sandwich Bar I had been interested in, I am back to square one[]. Anyone know of any good sources for finding a going concern to take over. I have registered with Daltons and various Transfer Agents for the Lancashire area, but was wondering if anyone knows of any others. Thanks ! Jon

Does anyone know of any other qualifications required to run a Sandwich Bar other than the necessary Hygiene qualifications. Thanks Jon

[quote][i]Originally posted by Jon E[/i] [br]Hi, My wife and I are thinking of buying an existing Sandwich bar business. Can anyone let me know what checks need to be made on the business. Also one of the bars we are looking at has not been permitted A3 usage. We are aware that this prevents them selling hot foods but what exactly is deemed to be hot food as they are currently sellWANKERS SHIT HEAD