The North East is renowned for its entrepreneurial spirit and has boundless opportunities for those looking to follow their dream and build a business empire.
And right now there are scores of businesses ready to be snapped up and developed, across the region.
Everything from dental practices and cafes, country pubs and retail companies are up for sale with North East property firms, so we’ve picked out 10 top opportunities up for grabs where you can be your own boss.
Mordue Brewery
The brewery behind popular craft beers Workie Ticket and Radgie Gadgie was put up for sale by its founders last month.
Garry and Matt Fawson have grown the North Shields brewery into one of the UK’s most successful names, with a string of national beer awards for its brands, but they now want to put their focus onto relatively new bar business Beeronomy.
They fulfilled a decade-long ambition by opening Beeronomy, on Newcastle ’s Hood Street, taking over the former city base of Newcastle Building Society, which was transformed into the bar, which also boasts a menu of food to pair with the beers on offer.
Christie & Co are marketing the brewery, set in a 12,500sqft facility on the Tyne Tunnel Estate, where it produces one million pints of craft beer a year under the Radgie Gadgie, Five Bridges, Mordue IPA and Northumbrian Blonde brands.
That means new owners will be taking on a ready-made business that sells beers across the region, the UK and abroad.
Offers are being invited for the business.
The Keelman
The popular riverside pub The Keelman is up for grabs together with its Big Lamp Brewery – but buying the successful beer recipes will require an extra sale deal.
The historic pub, restaurant and brewery – the oldest microbrewery in Tyne and Wear – has been put on the market following its owners’ decision to retire.
Investors or a rival brewery may look to buy the business, as well as its holiday accommodation which is a popular place to stay for people following the Hadrian’s Wall trail.
The Keelman and Big Lamp Brewery is available by way of a range of freehold and leasehold options and the The Big Lamp Brewers brand and beer recipes are available to purchase by separate negotiation.
Established in 1982, The Big Lamp supplies a range of traditionally brewed fine ales to public houses throughout the UK, alongside The Keelman. It produces around 40 barrels per week, around a third of which are used by the Keelman.
The pub, meanwhile, has 14 en suite bedrooms in two purpose-built buildings set in the grounds.
The freehold asking price for the pub and brewery only is £725,000, and with the addition of Keelman’s Lodge and Salmon Cottage the price tag is £1,425,000. The leasehold for the pub and brewery is available for £80,000 premium, £72,000 per annum rent, and rises to £120,000, £100,000 per annum rent with the addition of the holiday accommodation.
Dressi
Luxury clothes shop Dressi specialises in glamorous events – and its leasehold includes the stock, website and social media platforms.
Dressi in Gosforth, Newcastle, opened its doors for the first time last year as a high street presence for Dressi.co.uk, selling clothing for special occasions such as school proms, weddings and parties.
The company was launched by Julie Blackie, who helped her daughter Alice Hall launch the successful online venture Pink Boutique and is still involved in the fashion retailer.
The shop carries ladies’ bridal, bridesmaid, prom and occasion dresses, along with shoes and handbags.
Recently refurbished, the ground floor includes all fixtures and fittings for hanging and displaying dresses and a sales counter.
Now the business in its entirety, including the website and social media platforms, is up for sale with property advisor Christie & Co with a price tag of £90,000.
Oven Door
The Oven Door cafe has been a favourite haunt for footballers, musicians and other celebrities for 30 years, but its owners are looking to retire.
The popular cafe has been serving up traditional home cooking and English breakfasts for more than three decades on Nuns Moor Road, Fenham, Newcastle, developing a large number of regular customers down the years, including Newcastle United players, members of North East band Maximo Park, and even comedian Norman Wisdom who always paid a visit during his visits to the region.
The traditional cafe is on the market with Pattinson, with an asking price of £40,000, with the property firm saying the sale marks a huge opportunity for someone to take on a well-established business, and even develop it further.
Hustle & Heart
The healthy eating restaurant in Quorum Business Park, previously known as Kettlebell Kitchen, has been put up for sale by its owner.
Carley Jones relaunched the business park site as Hustle & Heart, which has a strong healthy focus but also aims to appeal to a wider range of customers.
She is now looking to sell as she lives outside of the area and has other businesses she needs to focus on.
The 3,000sqft venture has room for 80 diners and is the only place open after 5pm on the busy business park close to Newcastle, with £50,000 worth of fixtures and fittings included in the asking price.
A meal prep business is included, with huge potential for growth around the UK.
The business is being sold as a leasehold by Bolton-based property firm Hilton Smythe, with the first year rent free and the second half price.
Kracklin
Award winning sandwich shop Kracklin has been up for sale since October 2018.
The restaurant, based on Newcastle’s Grainger Street, was named as one of the UK’s “most incredible sandwich shops” by Great British Chefs.
Its menu offers a range of gourmet sandwiches, poutine, served with its signature pork crackling, and mac ‘n’ cheese.
Kracklin has been put on the market for £49,000 - including its furniture and fixtures. Its turnover is advertised as £182,000 a year.
Kickz Dancewear
Dancewear retailer Kickz is up for a sale with the owners asking for “under £50,000” for the business.
The shop is located on Rutherford Street in Newcastle, close to Newcastle skyscraper Hadrian Tower, and its website is also included in the deal.
In its advert the company describes itself has having “built up a five star reputation for pointe show fitting” and claims customers travel from Carlisle and Yorkshire to be fitted.
Kickz is being sold sold with or without the lease and premises, and it would be easy to relocate elsewhere. It’s current base has, its owners say, very low rent and is business rates exempt.
Houghton House Dental Practice
A vacant dental practice with significant development potential is up for sale in Gateshead.
Property firm Christie & Co has been instructed to sell a new lease for the site, based at the Team Valley, on behalf of GH Group.
The practice comprises two surgeries, which were recently fitted to a high standard and benefit from a modern design, and presents the potential to add a further two surgeries.
As the practice already has the infrastructure for a new owner to begin trading immediately, Christie & Co says there is scope to take advantage of the practice’s potential.
Joel Mannix, business agent at Christie & Co, is handling the sale and believes the premises could appeal to a variety of buyers.
Sunbrite Dry Cleaners
Dry cleaning chain Sunbrite was put up for sale in April, giving someone the chance to take on a ready-made chain.
The business operates four sites in the North East, in North Shields, Gateshead, Sunderland and Newcastle.
All four sites are in busy areas and benefit from high levels of footfall.
Following the decision to sell the four established sites, a spokesman for Harrogate Dry Cleaning Company Ltd, which traded Sunbrite said: “These stores offer an excellent opportunity to acquire a long established business complete with dedicated & experienced staff. New unrelated business commitments mean that these sites are available for sale to allow me to focus on the new business venture.”
The sites can be sold individually or as a group.
The Pheasant Inn
Popular country pub The Pheasant Inn is being sold after its owners made the decision to retire.
The Kershaw family has run the pub for more than 30 years and have built up a strong reputation for its warm welcome and good food.
The Pheasant Inn is based at Stannersburn in the middle of the National Park, close to Kielder Water and Forest Park.
It has been brought to market by Christie & Co with an asking price of £900,000.
