Find your place in the sun as £250k beach put up for sale
“TO come down and have this as your office is absolutely spectacular.” So says the current owner of the Saundersfoot beach, who could soon be passing it over to you.
Adrian Alford, who is planning to semi-retire after this summer season, has put the 2.2-acre beach, with blue flag status, on the market with a guide price of £250,000.
Chris Hunter, commercial director for Pembrokeshire estate agents RK Lucas, said: “We have already had a huge amount of interest in the property. Since it went live on our site we have seen a huge increase in traffic. It is a very attractive purchase for someone wanting a lifestyle where they are working the summer season.”
The agent said it understands that the current operation benefits from planning consent from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.
The vendors are seeking offers in the region of £250,000 (no VAT) for the property and business/goodwill. Business assets such as beach equipment, like sun loungers, parasols, windbreaks, and hot food catering trailer, are available to be purchased separately following negotiations with the owners.
Mr Alford, who runs the beach with his wife, Nicola, 50, and son, Toby, 26, has plans to pursue other business interests.
“We would also love to enjoy Pembrokeshire ourselves in the summer,” he says, “rather than working constantly through it”.
Mr Alford said he was amazed when he found out through a neighbour that the beach was for sale 10 years ago. Originally from Hereford, the family had been living in Saundersfoot for two years when they made the purchase.
“We always wanted to work together and it gave us the opportunity to,” he said. “So we explored the opportunity and, yay, it came off! It has been a great 10 years.”
The Alfords say they cater for families wanting a seaside experience. They have been selling ice-cream and hot and cold food, running a bouncy castle and renting out sun loungers and deck chairs. They also started a watersports business, renting out kayaks, pedalos and standup paddle-boards.
Mr Alford says the new owners could look to try their own business ventures as well, but they would have to get approval from the National Park Authority, which, he says, keeps a keen eye on this sort of commercial activity.
“It would have to be sensitive to the environment,” he added. “It is a family-friendly, blue flag beach and the national park wants to keep it that way. They don’t want Blackpooltype things.”
And the new owners will not be stuck with having to clean the beach.
“Beach cleaning is done by mutual consent by Pembrokeshire County Council,” Mr Alford says. “Through winter it is limited and it is down to volunteers. Although Pembrokeshire Council do the beach cleaning, we do do cleaning as it is in our interest to have a spotless beach, but the council do a great job.
Mr Alford adds: “We have thousands of people here on a summer’s day, but our visitors are amazing, there is so little rubbish left. As long as we have the bins to deposit their rubbish they are fantastic.”
The beach also comes with three access lanes or footpaths and a small building with electricity, water and private toilet facilities.
The beach is now out for tender. Interested parties should submit a tender in writing, using the tender form obtainable from the sole agents, RK Lucas & Son, by 5pm on Thursday, September 14, 2017.
Details of previous turnover are available from the agents.