Fairways of Wick - An Opportunity To Buy A Well Known Business

15th May 2008

Fairways of Wick was established in 1981 by Ernest Adams. The shop began in rented premises on Bridge Street before moving to its current store at 118 High Street in the mid 1980's. Mr Adams had a long and distinguished career in retail, managing department stores for House of Fraser and Courtaulds, before being headhunted by the owners of Fred Shearer Ltd in 1971. When 'Freds' was acquired by Mackays, it seemed the logical move for Mr Adams to go into business for himself. He knew the area well and had vast knowledge of the market. It was intended as a retirement project, but continued longer than anticipated.

The store sells a range of soft furnishings and household goods from dishcloths to duvets and has a wide range of curtains and voiles, available on the shelf and to order from several bespoke manufacturers. Fairways is noted for its excellent customer service and people have been known to travel the length of the country to snap up Ernie's 'Specials'.

However, due to ill health over the past year, Ernie and assistant Mary Ross have both decided to retire. The business is being run by Mary , with Ernie's daughter Julie doing the administration. 'Basically, I work full time as a teacher, and looking after elderly parents and doing a part time post graduate research degree doesn't really give me sufficient time to do Fairways justice. Ideally we'd love to sell it as a going concern. Over the past few years we've not had time to build the contracts side of the firm, and ideally it should be run the way Dad did it- with the proprietor as the hub of the shop, with a part time assistant working alongside. This would be a good opportunity for someone wishing to downsize, or a young dynamic entrepreneur who could build the interior design and contract aspect of the firm.

The building itself is on the ground floor of a converted church, adjacent to up and coming 'Sam's Furniture'. Fairways has 126 square metres of floor space, including a small store room and toilet at the rear of the shop. There is a large front window and two further windows on Shore Lane.

The shop is offered on the market in four options

1 Shop space including all fittings for sale at £40k

2 As a going concern - freehold of shop; all fittings; stock, and goodwill at £60k

There are also leasehold options:

3 Shop space only at £600 per calendar month (tenant liable for rates and utilities)

4 Stock, shop fittings etc at £20k, with a 2 year lease on the premises at £500 per calendar month.

Interested parties should leave contact details on 01955 605404