Press Releases
Romsey pub featured in TV series changes hands
The William IV public house in Romsey, Hampshire, which was used as a location for an episode of the Inspector Wexford television series, has just been sold.
The sale was handled by the Winchester office of leading licensed property agents, Christie + Co, while their associate company, the independent mortgage broker Christie Finance, secured the funding package for the buyer.
The William IV is located on Latimer Street in the town centre and is an attractive red-brick property dating from the early 20th Century.
The historic market town of Romsey in the Test Valley provided the setting for the fictional town of Kingsmarkham, home of Inspector Reg Wexford in the Inspector Wexford series, based on the Ruth Rendell mystery novels.
The William IV comprises a main bar, a function room/skittle alley, courtyard and gardens plus three-bedroom owner’s accommodation. It is very well supported by local people and hosts football and darts teams.
Christie + Co sold the William IV to New Zealander Gary Naulls as his first pub venture in the summer of 2006, however he put the lease back on the market with the same agent in early 2007 in order to pursue other business interests. The lease has now been sold to another first time pub buyer, Kevin Baker, who will operate the business together with his partner, Gaynor Bryant, and her daughter, Nikki Bryant.
Charlotte Burridge of Christie Finance, who arranged the mortgage for Mr Baker, comments: “I am pleased to have assisted Kevin with arranging the finance to purchase his first pub. Although Kevin is experienced in the pub industry he also runs his own heating engineering company so his partner, Gaynor, and her daughter, Nikki, will predominantly manage the William IV. Gaynor previously held front-of-house roles at The Holbury in Southampton and The Forest Park Hotel in Brockenhurst while Nicky has worked recently at The Happy Cheese in Ashurst and The Fox & Hounds in Lyndhurst. We wish the three of them every success with their new business venture.”
Tonya West of Christie + Co comments: “We are delighted to have sold the William IV twice in the last eighteen months. The sale of this character public house in the middle of the attractive market town of Romsey appealed to a range of potential buyers from experienced licensed operators to those wishing to enter the trade.”
The William IV pub has been sold for an undisclosed figure, after Christie + Co sought £64,995 for the leasehold interest. The lease runs until August 2013 and the current annual rent is £14,000.
For further information please contact Charlotte Burridge of Christie Finance or Tonya West of Christie + Co in the Winchester office on Tel: 01962 844455
Our Ref: CFWin921
