- Fair Maintainable Trade* (FMT) Net Turnover: £340k net. per annum
- Rent: £40k per annum
- Wet/Dry split: 35%/65%
- Beautiful forest location
- Extensive garden and grounds
- Licensed for weddings
- Trade building potential
- Very well maintained
The Silent Woman sits in the middle of the picturesque and popular Wareham Forest, close to several caravan and camping sites and within a 15 minute drive of the thriving South Dorset town of Wareham. The pub is in close proximity to the stunning Jurassic Coast, and a 10 mile drive from the larger town of Poole, with its long sandy beach, natural harbour and seaside amenities. Immediately behind the Silent Woman is a retirement park of 35 homes. Consequently the guest base is wide and varied, with the pub attracting campers, walkers and day trippers, as well as being a destination dining venue for local residents. Due to its rural forest location, transport by car is undoubtedly the most popular way of visiting the pub, although there is also a railway station at Wareham.
Once a smugglers haunt, legend has it that a talkative landlady gave away the smugglers’ secrets in Wareham market place. Fearful of capture by the ever-present Excise Men, the smugglers silenced her by cutting out her tongue, hence the unusual name, ‘The Silent Woman’. During its history, the pub has also been called The Angel and The Quiet Lady in Thomas Hardy’s novel, The Return of the Native, reverting to The Silent Woman in the late 1920’s or early 1930’s. Nowadays the Silent Woman has been lovingly developed both internally and externally by the previous business partners who had a fine track record at the pub for 17 years. It is very well maintained throughout, and the intimate dining areas leading down the pub away from the main bar reflect how the building was once a row of work cottages. Outside in the extensive grounds are many different areas of landscaping and shade to offer something for everyone enjoying alfresco dining.
There is considerable potential to develop the business here in many different ways, given the pub’s unique location and available space, as illustrated by the previous operators successfully obtaining a wedding licence and operating as a wedding venue. Therefore the successful applicant(s) will have an entrepreneurial edge as well as being able to cope with the varied eating demands of the eclectic customer base. Experience of a varied catering business would be a distinct advantage, and ideal applicants will be chefs and restaurateurs, entrepreneurs, or current managers or tenants.
Like the rest of the pub, the upstairs private accommodation is in very good order comprising 3 bedrooms, an office, bathroom, lounge and store rooms. The catering kitchen is shared as a domestic kitchen.
The new operators were only able to trade for approximately one month prior to lockdown. The previous operators closed on a Monday and on weekday afternoons, and were open all day at the weekend. They ran a strict adult only policy indoors, which should be reviewed by any new operators. The trade was constantly busy during opening hours and showed a significant increase during the key summer months. The introduction of a wedding licence provided a significant turnover boost, but this is optional for new operators going forward.
* Fair Maintainable Trade (FMT) is the level of turnover and profit that we believe that the business is capable of delivering if being operated competently. The FMT is usually calculated by the Business Development Partner for the pub, who will produce a shadow profit and loss account for the business which supports the rent. A copy of the shadow profit and loss account will be provided during the recruitment process. Please see our Code of Practice for more information on FMT and rent. The Fair Maintainable Trade is not a guarantee of levels of trade or profit that will be made from the business – we strongly recommend you seek appropriate independent legal and business advice as part of your Business Plan.
† The Full Investment Breakdown for each public house is higher than the minimum investment we will accept because potential Business Partners with the minimum investment available can still be accepted as we are able to offer them financial support for the rest of the monies. The working capital incorporates the purchase of stock, glassware, loose catering effects and valuer fees – please note the number quoted on this website are based on estimates. The exact costs will be determined on the day you take on the public house by independent valuers and stock takers. Please see our Code of Practice for more information about investment.
Facilities
Facilities
Facilities
