Hen & Chicken

Upper Froyle, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 4JH

  • 20
  • 70
  • Asset 1 100

The Hen & Chicken is a landmark pub beside the A31, highly visible on the affluent Surrey/Hampshire border between Alton & Farnham. It is perfectly positioned to attract breakfast and daytime trade, destination dining in the evenings and function business throughout the year.

A classic coaching inn of days gone by where passengers would take refreshment whilst the horses were changed, the building retains much of this history with charm and character preserved in the main areas augmented by modern barns and a great courtyard garden attracting local and passing guests.

There is good parking to the front and side with easy access from the main road. A characterful bar area greets guests with a large inglenook fireplace and traditional style pub furniture. There are two dining areas either side of bar, one with a very popular large carvery, wooden floors and panelling, and to the right a carpeted restaurant area.

The rear of the pub is a more contemporary space with two large attractive ‘barns’ featuring vaulted ceilings, and brick floors and walls. The versatile light and airy rooms with separate kitchen and bar facilities can be used for hire, dining, or developing the pizza offer. Leading directly onto the well-manicured garden, the rooms make the Hen & Chicken an ideal venue for weddings and functions.

Extensive private accommodation with separate access and a further block with additional team rooms complete the package.

Key Pub Features

Hen & Chicken Highlights:

  • Fair Maintainable Trade (FMT) turnover – £800k per annum net
  • Rent 9% of net turnover
  • Highly visible and well-recognised pub
  • Traditional main bar with huge inglenook fireplace
  • Food led with carvery and pub menu
  • Large well-equipped kitchen
  • Great modern spaces for functions with separate bar and pizza offer
  • Attractive well presented garden\patio
  • Extensive private and team accommodation

Private Accommodation:

There are two main accommodation areas which are accessed separately to the pub

Main Living Space:

  • 2x Large double bedrooms
  • Large self-contained kitchen
  • Bathroom
  • Large living room
  • Office (box room)
  • Roof terrace

Team Accommodation:

  • 5 bedrooms (3 doubles 2 singles)
  • One bathroom

Location - Froyle near Alton\Farnham

The Hen & Chicken is a landmark of the busy A31, a major route from the Southwest into London, it has long-held a reputation as a great meeting spot. The settlements of Lower Froyle, a delightful village and home of the well-known Froyle Park wedding venue is nearby, and Bentley with its railway station is only 2 miles away.

A short drive East lies the major town of Farnham with Alton to the West, both are busy market towns with a combined population of over 60,000. Farnham (Surrey) is renowned for its Georgian streets, historic buildings and locally produced food. The high street in Farnham is picturesque and a thriving mix of independent shops, restaurants and UK chains. Alton (Hampshire) is a modern town with multiple business parks and a rapidly growing population.

Top Line Figures

  • Rent: 9% of net turnover, with a minimum base of £61,500
  • Initial Investment: minimum £32,800 inc VAT
  • Fair Maintainable Trade* (FMT) Turnover: £800,000 per annum net
  • Annual rent illustration based on FMT: £72,000
  • Estimated Operating Profit £73K (9.1%) pa based on FMT*

* Estimated figures for illustration only cannot be guaranteed

Full Investment Breakdown**

  • Fixtures & Fittings: Estimated £45k, subject to valuation (Inventory is an estimate net of VAT. Loan facilities are available for the purchase of fixtures and fittings).
Illustration of Year 1 Ingoings (excludes rent)     Net      VAT    Inc VAT
Deposit £  7,500      N/A £  7,500
Training Fee £  1,000 £     200 £  1,200
Change of DPS £     254 £       46 £     300
Digital Asset Fee £     250 £       50 £     300
Working Capital*** £  7,000      N/A £  7,000
F&F (Outright Purchase Option A) £45,000 £  9,000 £54,000
F&F (Purchase Agreement Option B) £  4,500 £  9,000 £13,500
Total Option A £64,004 £  9,296 £73,300
Total Option B £23,504 £  9,296 £32,800

Additional Information

  • Estimated Wet/Dry Split: 30%/70%
  • Business Rates**** Payable: £9,580 pa
  • Available From: January 2026
  • Closing Date for Applications: 30/11/2025

E&OE

Trade

Last 3 year Volume Beer & Cider - Barrels Wines - Litres Spirits - Litres Soft Drinks - Litres
Current Year 120 1325 65 2566
Last Year 119 1346 57 2774
2 Years Previous 173 2510 170 4720

Trade has been stable over last 12 months and building, this following a decline from the peaks achieved by the previous long established operators.

Meet the Pub's Business Development Partner.....

“The Hen & Chicken will require an operator who embraces and can deliver multiple food styles with a flair for marketing.

Given the location, the growing breakfast trend provides an opportunity to build early day trade switching to a good value carvery and pub lunch before the evening drink and destination guests take over. Food is the key driver and marketing of the barns critical to growth and the long-term success of the business. Having a clear and creative plan to embrace this wonderful opportunity is paramount”.

Ian Pearson

Business Development Partner

Useful Links

British Institute of Innkeeping:  https://www.bii.org/

British Beer and Pub Association:  https://beerandpub.com/

Pre-Entry Awareness Training (PEAT):  https://www.bii.org/BII/Industry-Advice/PEAT.aspx

Personal Licence:  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-licence-application–2

Misrepresentation

*Fair Maintainable Trade (FMT):

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 to rent, 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.

Code of Practice:

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:

The Full Investment Breakdown for each public house is higher than the minimum investment we will accept. This is 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.

***Working Capital:

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.

****Business Rates Payable:

This figure reflects the current multipliers for 2025/2026 and the 40% hospitality relief, effective until 31/03/2026.