SARK  Sark is spectacular in both its scenery and its simplicity; its tranquil beauty is unmarred by cars or tarmac roads and yet enhanced by excellent modern facilities and telecommunications for residents and visitors alike. The only independent feudal state remaining in Europe, Sark is self-governing through ‘Chief Pleas’ and is presided over by the Seigneur. Transport on Sark is restricted to the horse and carriage, the bicycle and ‘shanks pony’. Tractors are, however, allowed by licence for general farm work, carting of goods from the harbour, and personal transport of goods by arrangement. Modern everyday shopping facilities are available on Sark together with a selection of excellent hotels, restaurants, and public houses.

TAXATION Sark does not levy any income tax, property gains tax, capital gains tax, value added tax or inheritance tax on its residents. Other, local taxes are very moderate.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Island Stores is a purpose built supermarket and department store completely rebuilt in 1986 on a site which has been used as the islands’ main food shop for at least the past 50 years.  It is of a substantial modern construction with a welcoming façade and generous road frontage inviting passers-by to stop or park their cycles and become customers in the commercial hub of the island.
 
The Island Stores currently offer the widest range of grocery and food items on the island, ably stocking the majority of major brands as well as lower priced alternatives.  The shop offers the only newsagents on the island as well as fresh locally baked bread and cakes while supplementing the many imported brands. Local vegetables and dairy products are also stocked alongside a variety of more exotic varieties to cater for a wide demand in line with modern expectations.

Approximately one-third of the shop floor is used to display and sell a variety of non-food items including everyday and waterproof clothing, shoes, jewellery, torches, beach wear, toys, stationery & haberdashery goods, greetings cards, postcards and local souvenirs.

There is considerable room for expansion and diversification into a number of areas including reintroducing the on-site Bakery so that fresh bread and cakes are once again baked within the premises, operating a small coffee shop, introducing new and additional clothing lines etc.etc.

The shop currently employs 2 full-time and 2 part-time shop assistants year round, with 2 further assistants employed on a part-time in winter and full-time in summer basis. The managerial, office and administrative work is currently undertaken on a part-time basis by 2 people; this could efficiently be undertaken by one person on a more full-time managerial basis. A part-time cleaner and shelf-stocker are also employed year-round as well as a carter who collects and delivers all stock and customer orders.

The shop assistants each have one area of goods to supervise and the shop has a modern computerised labour-saving till and stocktaking system.

At the rear of the shop are areas used for food preparation, a cool room, an office, a newspaper ‘pigeon-hole’ area for local residents, large stock storage room with separate garage door entrance, butchery, walk-in cold store, a secure storage area, further storage & stock areas and staff WC’s with separate washbasin and rest area.

The shop is self-contained with its own efficient borehole and Klargester sewerage disposal system. The property has an external storage area at the rear, which has previously housed the incinerator although all rubbish is currently collected to be burnt and disposed of at the general island sites.

It is expected that the eventual purchaser will want to purchase the good amount of stock at cost price as well as the existing fixtures and fittings, for which a price will be negotiated separately. The tractor and trailer currently used for carting and deliveries could also be purchased as part of the fixtures and fittings if required.

The present owner/manager would be willing to work alongside the purchaser initially to allow a smooth handover and settling-in period. The shop assistants currently employed have all indicated that they would be happy to continue working for a new employer as appropriate.

Full accounts are available to a prospective purchaser once a level of serious interest and intent has been established.

The total floor areas of over 6,730 square feet are currently divided and utilised as follows:

GROUND FLOOR

Current Retail Area 63’ x 38’7” plus 18’8” x 8’9”

Butchery  26’10” x 8’9”

Store with Cold Store and former office 18’9” x 15’

Main Store Area 1 37’5” x 16’

Main Store Area 2 21’9” x 16’

Main Store Area 3 18’6” x 16’

FIRST FLOOR

Retail Area (unused at present) 38’7” x 35’ (alternatively one or two further apartments)

Store Area 1  12’2” x 9’  (alternatively Bedroom 3 of the existing Apartment)

Store Area 2 9’ x 6’4”    (alternatively Bedroom 4 of the existing Apartment)

We have no choice but to limit the description of the commercial areas above, as there is much to tell of internal and additional features.  Suffice to say the areas can be rearranged and/or expanded to suit the requirements of individual operators or managers. We strongly advise inspection to fully appreciate this unique opportunity.

FIRST FLOOR APARTMENT in good condition throughout with accommodation briefly comprising:

Approach through a roadside partly glazed door at the western end of the frontage giving access to a small lobby with stairs leading to…

Landing A spacious carpeted area with a west facing picture window and glazed doors leading to…

Bedroom 2 10’5” x 10’3”.  With overhead lights, power points, a radiator, space for a double or single beds and bedroom furniture.

Kitchen 19’ x 12’2”. With west and south facing picture windows, an extensive range of floor and wall kitchen units with integral stainless steel sink with single drainer, gas hob and cooker with extractor fan over, tiled walls and splashbacks, a spacious dining area and wide window seat with radiator under, power points, a storage area housing the hot water cylinder, overhead lights, and a door leading to…

Sitting Room 16’ x 14’1” plus 9’2” x 6’. With a south facing picture window with window seat and radiator under, power points, TV point, telephone point, overhead lighting and a door leading to a small lobby with a disused door leading to Store Area 1, a door giving access to Store Area 2 and further doors leading to…

Bedroom 1 18’2” x 9’1”. With a south facing picture window, overhead lights, power points and doors leading to a walk-in wardrobe and storage space.

Bathroom With a bathroom suite comprising bath, basin and WC, Mira power shower in fully glazed & tiled unit, extractor fan, radiator and overhead lights.

EXTERNAL Tractor access and parking area.

VACANT POSSESSION By arrangement

GROUND RENT  £594 per annum, subject to Guernsey Retail Price Index Reviews every      years.

PROPERTY TAX £1,380 per annum at the islands 2006 rate of £5.75 per ‘quarter’. 

VIEWING  Strictly by appointment only through Sark Estate Agents as the Vendors sole Agent.

PRICE  on application
 
KINDLY NOTE In order to ensure minimum disruption to the Shop Staff and Customers the Vendors respectfully request that all information provided of whatever kind is treated as privileged; any additional information offered must be kept Strictly Confidential.

Sark Estate Agents
These particulars are issued on the implicit understanding that all negotiations concerning this property are conducted through this Agency and whilst care is taken in setting out these details we do not guarantee their accuracy, nor do they form a contract or any part thereof.