Leasing off part of my business

[lyndylou]

I have a hotel which (for the mess the country is in) is doing quite well the problem I have is it's too busy for two people ( my husband and I ) to run and not constant enough to employ permanent staff - Also I have been very ill and so do not have the patience with customers that I had a year ago. The property is up for sale but at just over half a million it is not attracting buyers for obvious "recession" reasons
I have come up with a solution but no idea where to start or how to implement it.

It is perfectly possible to lease the kitchen, dining room and bar area to someone who can then run these areas as they see fit. Ideas include a bar/restaurant - day time cafe- work the kitchens to provide out side catering say to offices or supply shops with cup cakes, provide party venues with buffet food and obviously other possibilities - We would continue to run the accommodation and would contract the lease holder to provide breakfast and evening meals to the guests. This way we would still be able to attract the coach and group parties who like to eat evening meals at the hotel and enjoy entertainment in the bar lounge - I understand that the lease holder would have to apply for a different bar licence since we hold a residents only licence at the moment and I image that they would want to attract passing trade and offer drinks with meals ( but I can't see this as a problem )

All very good ideas - BUT how do I begin to look at this process who ( what kind of person ) do I contact to help me with this and what have I " not thought of??" Any Help ?? Thank you

[sherrardk]

We bought a 'dead' pub and got the license thought the council. You could ask a commercial estate agent to value your 'idea' (ie set a lease price) and you would need a solicitor to help you with the contract. I would have thought that the 'idea' would be worth more if the licence was in place before you marketed it (few people would want to lease it on the off chance that they would get an alcohol licence).

[Zacs-Master]

A minor point but are there public toilets serving the potential bar / restaurant area?

[EDDIE51]

If you lease the bar restaurant it will need someone with a personal licence to be DPS , Designated Premises Supervisor. That person will then be responsible complying with the licencing act for the entire premises not just the bar restaurant ares. It is the person who is licenced now not just the building.

[HowardKennitby]

I agree with Zac. If the bar area is expected to cope with increased custom then you may need some building work done. As said; toilets, fire exits may need upgraded. Do you have plenty of parking for the increase in footfall?

[lyndylou]

HI thanks everyone for the advise - Sherrardk thanks I will contact an estate agent
yes to Zac there are public toilets
Howardkennitby - the increase in trade would only be up to maximum capacity allowed as is now for the hotel all fire regs and health safety audits are done and in place - the exra foot fall would come from constant day and evening opening ( at the moment only residents frequent the bar and dining room )
Eddie51 - Sorry was your coment aimed back at Sheardk re the licence in place before we marketed it ?? If not - Im not sure I follow at the moment my husband is licensee and we have a residential licence to serve alcohol.
The person leasinthe bar resturant from us would need to be licenced themsleves - We live on the premises but we would not want to be responsible for someone elses area ??? No othe parts of the bulidsing would need to belcenced ??? would they?? we would only have letting rooms left ??
Sorry Confused - but thank again ( any more help greatly apprieciated )

[EDDIE51]

You need a DPS if any part of the building serves alcohol , once you have the DPS he/she is responsible for the entire building in relation to alcohol licencing .
The DPS would have nothing to do with bookings or such but if people wanted to drink in their rooms it would be the DPS who was responsible for making sure the licence conditions were met ( for example consumption by under 18s is still illegal on any part of a licenced premises even a hotel room or garden)

[lyndylou]

Thank you eddie51 - now I understand - regards