Restaurant for sale

The chance to acquire a truly unique property of significant historic importance situated on top of the iconic White Cliffs of Dover commanding arguably one of the best views in the country. The vendors purchased the property from the Coastal Sea Agency in 1994 and embarked on a sympathetic and comprehensive programme of improvements and extensions to create a tearoom/restaurant on the ground floor with a luxury self-contained holiday apartment above, both of which have proved very successful and profitable. On their retirement however, the vendors have reluctantly decided to offer this exceptional property for sale giving someone else the opportunity to continue the enterprise with the potential to grow the business further. Currently the business is closed with everything in place ready for reopening by the new owners.

HISTORY

The land along the cliff tops around St Margaret’s was for several generations part of Lord Granville’s estates. In 1914 the land where Bluebirds now sits was acquired by the Ministry of War and two huts were erected and used as a signal station during and after The Great War. The Obelisk monument adjacent was erected in 1921 (together with two others – one on the opposite side of the Channel atop Cap Blanc Nez and the other in New York Harbour) as a tribute to sailors of the Dover Patrol who lost their lives during the hostilities. In the late 1920’s the signal huts were replaced by a purpose-built brick Coastguard lookout. With war again looming, however, the significance of the site prompted the building of an underground operations room (35ft below the building) with two anti-aircraft guns sited to the rear. Throughout World War Two, the lookout played a significant part in the defence of the country, it’s position near ‘Hellfire Corner’ being central to the Battle of Britain. It was also pivotal in the monitoring and coordination of shipping in the Channel, its importance being such that Sir Winston Churchill made two visits during the war to the underground bunker. After the war, the lookout - now a fully equipped coastguard station complete with a radar scanner - continued its important role as the principal centre for the monitoring of what had become the busiest shipping lane in the world. Prince Charles made a visit there in 1979. With this increase in traffic and the development in new technology the decision was made to build a new multi-million-pound Coastguard station nearer to Dover at Langdon Cliff. The old station was then decommissioned and in 1994 offered for sale by public tenure.

The village of St Margaret’s at Cliffe offers local shopping, post office, doctor’s surgery with pharmacy, newsagent/general store and primary school (Ofsted rated ‘outstanding’). Grammar schools are at Dover and Sandwich and public schools at Dover, Broadstairs, Northbourne and Canterbury. The Bay itself is sheltered for bathing, fishing, sailing etc. The cliff-top to either side of The Bay is mainly in the care of the National Trust. Step out of the gate and onto the ancient Saxon Shore Way which is also part of the ‘Round Britain’ coastal heritage access route walks. There are golf courses at nearby Kingsdown and Deal, with Royal St George’s at Sandwich (the venue of the British Open). The Cathedral City of Canterbury offers an excellent shopping centre together with leisure interest, theatres and county cricket. Excellent links to the Continent via the Port of Dover (approximately 4 miles), the Channel Tunnel (approx. 12 miles) and Eurostar from Ashford and London-St Pancras being 75 minutes from Martin Mill station (approx 2 miles).

Accommodation with approximate measurements comprises;

CAFE/RESTAURANT

32’ x 10’7 narrowing to 9’ (9.75m x 3.23m narrowing to 2.74m) Superb triple aspect with panoramic views of the channel. Double and single glazed doors to front terrace, tiled floor, wood-burning stove.

INNER LOBBY

Built in cupboards, doors to;

WC

Low level toilet suite, wash hand basin, tiled floor and ½ tiled walls.

DISABLED WC

Low level toilet suite, wash hand basin, hand dryer, tiled floor, ½ tiled walls.

From the Café louvered swing doors to;

KITCHEN

12’7 x 9’10 (3.84m x 3m) Stainless steel commercial quality work-surfaces and storage shelves stainless steel cooker, extractor hood, double drainer stainless steel sink, dishwasher, hand basin, telephone point, fridge, tiled floor, doorway to;

PREPARATION AREA

Stainless steel and wooden work surfaces and shelving, 4 freezers, tiled floor, ½ glazed door to rear garden.

In the disabled W.C. a trap door leads to ladders accessing an underground bunker /former operations room located 35ft below the building - 16’3 x 5’3 (4.96m x 2.21m).

THE LOOKOUT

Glazed door to;

KITCHEN

10’ x 9’4 (3.05m x 2.84m) Channel views, bespoke pine cabinets with Oak and granite work surfaces, Belfast sink, built in Smeg oven, inset Smeg 4 ring electric hob with extractor canopy/light over, fridge/freezer, built in washing machine, dryer, tiled floor, electric radiator, staircase to;

FIRST FLOOR

SITTING ROOM

15’7 x 12’10 (4.75m x 3.91m) Double aspect with views over The Channel and over rolling farmland to the rear, wood-burning stove, electric radiator, double doors with louvered shutters open to;

BALCONY

18’ x 7’9 (5.49m x 2.35m) Superb panoramic views over The Channel to France and round to Kingsdown and Pegwell Bay. Outside lighting, 4 rung ladder up to walkway running around the former observation room/bedroom 1.

From sitting room door to;

BEDROOM 2

12’11 max in to recess x 5’9 (3.94m x 1.75m) Superb Channel view, custom made nautical style bunk beds, built in wardrobe, electric radiator.

From sitting room stairs up to;

LANDING

Cupboard housing hot water cylinder, door to;

BEDROOM 1/FORMER OBSERVATION ROOM

15’10 x 12’8 (4.83m x 3.86m) Without doubt one of the finest views in England with panoramic views around from the War Memorial, South Foreland Lighthouse, The Channel to the coast of France, Kingsdown and Pegwell Bay, raised oak platform for bed, built in wardrobes, telephone & TV point, electric radiator, wall light point.

SHOWER ROOM

7’10 x 5’8 (2.39m x 1.73m) Built in shower cubicle, pedestal wash hand basin, low level toilet suite built in cupboard and shelving, chrome towel rail, tiled floor, fully tiled walls, view of the headland.

OUTSIDE

The plot totals approximately 1.25 acres comprising a securely fenced grassed area around the building. The plot extends to the north and south and down to the cliff edge. At present this is open, but we understand from the vendors this could be fenced provided gates are installed to maintain the access for walkers using the coastal path.

NB: The property is offered for sale complete with all fixtures, fittings, furnishings and equipment required for the continued running of the café/restaurant and holiday apartment.

There is currently a planning application pending an appeal decision for the change of use of the ground floor into a holiday let and the first floor (currently a holiday let) into manager/owner accommodation.

VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT THROUGH AGENTS MARSHALL & CLARKE. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE

VARIOUS APPLIANCES AND SERVICES HAVE NOT BEEN TESTED BY MARSHALL & CLARKE.

MAINS ELECTRICITY AND WATER, PRIVATE DRAINAGE.

SM1193