Press Releases
Head chef purchases freehold of the Oyster Smack, with assistance from Christie Finance
Christie Finance, the independent mortgage broker, is delighted to have assisted Trevor Howell, head chef at the Oyster Smack Bar and Hotel in the yachting centre of Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, to purchase the freehold interest in the business.
The Oyster Smack dates from c.1850 and stands alongside the busy B1021 at 112 Station Road, just north of the centre of Burnham-on-Crouch, which lies on the east coast promontory between the River Blackwater and the River Crouch, near Maldon.
Head chef Trevor Howell had previously leased the Gallery Restaurant, the food operation at the Oyster Smack, since March 2006 and is delighted to taken the opportunity to purchase the freehold of the entire property. Trevor will continue in his current capacity as head chef/patron while his wife, Claire, adopts a front-of-house role.
As the new owners of the Oyster Smack, the Howells are planning some improvements, including a sympathetic refurbishment, the relocation of the bar to create a larger, 70-cover contemporary dining area, the extension of the catering kitchen and the creation of an al fresco dining area. They also intend to extend the food offering and further promote the eight letting bedrooms, five of which occupy a new letting block.
Nicholas Baker, mortgage broker for Christie Finance, comments: “We were delighted to provide the necessary finance to enable Trevor to purchase the freehold of the Oyster Smack, having successfully operated the food side of the business for over two years. We wish Trevor and Claire every success with their plans to further improve profits and enhance the high quality food, beverage and letting provision already in place. We were pleased to improve on the package offered by Mr Howell’s existing lender by sourcing market leading terms and saving our client thousands of pounds in the process.”
For further information please contact Nicholas Baker of Christie Finance, Ipswich office on Tel: 01473 234905
Our Ref: CFIps834
