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The Lifeboat, Best of British cafe, The Folkestone Wine Company and Sandgate Vaults all listed for sale

14:32, 19 September 2023

updated: 14:36, 19 September 2023

A pub, two restaurants and a cafe in one of Kent’s thriving seaside towns have all been listed on the market.

The Lifeboat and The Best Of British, in Folkestone, are both up for auction with Clive Emson this week. Whereas, restaurants The Folkestone Wine Company and Sandgate Vaults have both been listed on Rightmove.

The Lifeboat pub is up for auction with a price guide of £150,000-£160,000. Picture: Clive Emson
The Lifeboat pub is up for auction with a price guide of £150,000-£160,000. Picture: Clive Emson

The Lifeboat, North Street, Folkestone

The Lifeboat is a corner pub located near the old harbour.

Listed for auction with Clive Emson, it has a price guide of £150,000-£160,000.

Kevin Gilbert, a director and auctioneer at the Kent-based firm, said: “The Lifeboat was, we understand, previously let at around £18,200 per annum although it is now vacant and in need of improvement and refurbishment but will allow the successful purchaser the opportunity to re-decorate in their own taste and style.”

The site includes two bedrooms, outside seating at the rear of the building and a cellar.

Live bidding for the pub ends tomorrow (Wednesday).

The ex-Best Of British cafe
The ex-Best Of British cafe

The Best Of British, Tontine Street, Folkestone

Also up for auction with Clive Emson is The Best Of British cafe.

The establishment, now permanently closed, has a price guide of £220,000-£230,000.

The derelict building has been owned by the same family for around 50 years and is said to need “total refurbishment”.

Mr Gilbert added: “The property may be suitable for a variety of commercial uses.

“It has potential for the upper parts to become residential, subject to all necessary consents being obtainable.”

Live bidding for this building also ends tomorrow (Wednesday).

The Folkestone Wine Company was voted first by The Times' Britain's 20 best places to eat on the coast. Picture: Google
The Folkestone Wine Company was voted first by The Times' Britain's 20 best places to eat on the coast. Picture: Google

The Folkestone Wine Company, Church Street, Folkestone

Listed on Rightmove, The Folkestone Wine Company leasehold has been priced at just under £80,000.

The restaurant has been open for almost seven years after chef Dave Hart bought the former Linda’s Tea Room in Church Street in 2015.

Earlier this year, the eatery placed first in The Times’ Britain's 20 best places to eat on the coast.

It also placed sixth in The Guardians’ 2021 22 best places to eat seafood around the UK coast.

The restaurant is being listed with Christie & Co and states online: “The business has been owned by our clients for many years and has a highly regarded reputation as one of the best places to eat seafood.”

The site includes two separate seating areas, customer toilets, a fully equipped commercial kitchen and a wine cellar.

Sandgate Vaults is up for auction
Sandgate Vaults is up for auction

Sandgate Vaults, Sandgate High Street, Sandgate

Situated just outside of Folkestone, Sandgate Vaults is also listed with Christie & Co, the venue is being priced at £350,000.

Details online state: “The bar and restaurant are very popular amongst locals and visitors. There is scope to increase trade significantly by advertising the business and extending opening hours on Sundays.

“The current owners have provided a turnkey business that does not require any work doing to it and are looking to sell due to retirement.”

The property is a four-storey old bank building that provides a “modern restaurant”.

It also includes an old bank vault which has been converted into a bar.

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