A footballer turned publican is planning to retire, meaning a pub in a village near York is up for sale.
One-time Leeds United striker Steve Balcombe has owned and operated various pubs in the area, including The Crown Inn at Great Ouseburn.
For the last 21 years he’s run The Victoria in Cattal. He is now looking to sell the business and retire.
The Victoria sits at the heart of the proposed Maltkiln village, a development that would see 3,000 new homes built as well as two primary schools and other amenities.
Found next to Cattal train station and close to major road links including the A59 and A1(M), the pub is popular with locals and destination diners travelling from York, Harrogate and Leeds.
Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co is marketing The Victoria, which sits in nearly one acre, and says it has significant potential for development.
“A large area of unused land currently serves as overflow parking but could be transformed, subject to planning permission, into additional income-generating space such as glamping pods, lodges or accommodation,” Christies says.
“Externally, the pub also features an attractive trade garden with seating for more than 100 customers, as well as parking for approximately 50 cars.”
The owner’s accommodation on the first floor includes three bedrooms, a lounge, kitchen-diner and bathroom.
The pub also has the potential to trade for longer hours, with the owners currently choosing not to so they can spend time pursuing hobbies and spending time with family.
Steve and his wife Gillian said: “We have absolutely loved our time here at The Victoria, and we have some amazingly loyal customers. It will be with a heavy heart that we hand over the keys when the time comes, because we’ve loved every minute of it.
“In the meantime, it is still business as usual, and we are gearing up for a very busy spring-summer.”
David Cash, regional director at Christie & Co, said: “Opportunities to acquire freehold free houses in such advantageous trading locations rarely come to market.
“The business has traded consistently well for two decades and has huge potential for growth, with or without the new housing development. We expect interest from corporate pub companies as well as regional and local multi-site operators.”
The Victoria is on the market with a freehold asking price of £850,000. To find out more about the property, go here.
