High quality dressmaking and seamstress operation – alterations, re-shaping and made-to-measure garments, specializing in bridal and eveningwear
Ref.AB061 Location SurreyAsking Price £65,000Confidential offered for sale
Finance available to buy this business subject to status. All regulated business is passed to independent financial advisors who are regulated by the FSA | |
Asking price includes:
Turnover for 2005/6 of £55,800
Gross margins of approximately 52%
Prime location in characterful Grade 2 listed building
Established private Client base plus local Bridal boutiques
Significant growth and expansion opportunities
Highly trained, quality staff
Training and handover
Leasehold premises
Fitting room
Equipment
Goodwill | Business profile: | Founded by a very talented seamstress, with extensive experience including working with one of the leading couture businesses in Central London before moving on to more mass market production, this well-established business caters for all dress-making needs – from altering or reshaping garments right through to the design and creation of special-occasion clothes, all carried out on the premises.
This business offers a full range of services, from full bridal design and creation, often working with photographs or from the barest of sketches produced in conjunction with the Client; make and fit, with bridesmaids and mother of the bride a particular speciality to smart day and eveningwear for women, expecially jackets and trousers or skirts and matching tops. This business is equally at home, however, when faced with just a trouser shortening or alterations to that very special pair of jeans!
Established in 2003 following a period of steady growth, at the beginning of 2006, this business moved to its current, centrally located and very well suited premises in a prime retail location of one of the most affluent suburbs to the South West of London. Set in a beautiful Grade 2 listed building, full of character and offering spacious, private fitting facilties, Clients enter a very relaxed, informal and comfortable environment.
The cornerstone to the success of this business has been its very personalised and exclusive service. An appointment only service, when ideas and Client wishes can be discussed, ensures Clients get the most out of their time in the studio. The couture trained staff know how different fabrics hang on different body types and how to make the most of a Client’s best assets as well as disguising those parts of a Client’s figure that would rather not be emphasised. Professional design experience, artistic flair and production knowledge then take over to make a dress that fits perfectly and is unique to the Client.
As well as a a wide ranging base of personal customers, many of which are as a result of personal recommendation, this business has developed excellent, and in some cases long standing relationships with a number of bridal boutiques in the area, now accounting for a significant proportion – approximately 60% - of the overall turnover.
With turnover for the financial year ending March 2006 of £55,800, up 15% on the previous year and gross margins in excess of 52%, this is an excellent small business opportunity with significant growth prospects.
Key strengths:
This business is ideally located in very well suited, characterful premsises in a prime retail location in the heart of one of the most affluent London suburbs in Surrey. Operating in a very exlusive catchment area – what competition there is, is mainly represented by homeworkers - this business is the first choice amongst a wide range of customers. With many of the local population commuting to the City, the breadth of work undertaken can encompass alterations to very smart work clothes and eveningwear, almost as much as the extensive bridal work, this business undertakes o behalf of the local bridal boutiques, with which this business has built up excellent relationships.
This business prides itself on the excellent levels of service it provides. Every customer, no matter what the task, is made to feel very special indeed and the business enjoys excellent word of mouth recommendation. Everything about the way this studio operates exudes quality workmanship. All staff are highly trained seamstresses ensuring top quality service and the highest levels of customer satisfaction.
Key opportunities:
There is an outstanding opportunity to build on the existing business levels and customer base of this company. With a strong demand for this business's services, a new owner contributing fresh ideas, particularly in the areas of marketing and advertising will have every advantage of building on an excellent platform. Although this business occupies a prime retail location, customer awareness of the services of the business could be increased significantly particularly outside its immediate area of operation, and where competition is generally very thin. Certainly a web-site, showcasing some of the excellent creations this business has been involved in would help generate awareness drawing in additional customers from amongst the large number of up-market towns and villages in the surrounding area.
Operating largely in the bridal sector this business works at full tilt throughout the ‘season’ with quieter periods during the late Autumn and Winter. The recruitment of additional staff operating flexible hours during the peak season would help smooth the peaks and enable this business to take more advantage of the huge volumes of business that is available during these periods – perhaps by adding to the excellent relationships this business has built with bridal boutiques in the area. Alternatively, this business would be an excellent resource for any fashion designer looking for a high quality finished garments for retail sale.
Equipment:
This company has all the necessary equipment expected of a business operating in this sector, including four sewing machines, two overlockers, two steam irons, a pattern table together with all retail essentials and fitting room accessories. | The premises:
Centrally located in the heart of one of Surrey’s most affluent towns, this business occupies two floors of a characterful, Grade 2 listed building. Approximately 800 square feet in total, the business shares access with a small number of offices. Its Ground floor area comprises its own secure Reception area, Storage area and private Fitting Room, with Upstairs containing the Machining and Pattern Rooms.
The premises are leasehold, currently with four and a half years remaining of a five year lease. Rent is £10,000 per annum with an additional £1,000 per annum Service charge. Rates are £3,500 per annum. There is ample easy, free parking close by. | <>Advertising and marketing:
Occupying a prominent retail location, enjoying strong word of mouth recommendation and operating almost beyond capacity during the peak season, this business has used little advertising and marketing in the past. When re-locating to its current premises, this business announced its arrival with a small door drop in the immediate area.
There is no doubt that a well designed, informative and easy to navigate web-site would help to increase customer awareness outside its immediate catchment area encouraging custom from the many upmarket towns and villages containing large volumes of high net worth individuals there are in this part of Surrey. A concerted ‘trade’ marketing effort – aimed at other bridal boutiques and central London fashion designers would also help boost turnover and profitability – the latter perhaps providing a base level of activity particularly during the off peak periods. | | | Financial profile: | The business is offered for sale as a going concern. All financial discussions will take place directly between the vendor and all interested parties under the auspices of Turner Butler.
The business had a turnover of £55,800 for the 2005/6 financial year – up 15% on the previous year. Gross margins are 52%. | Employees:
The current owner is responsible for the day-to-day running of the outlet very capably supported by two seamstresses each working four days per week, plus a casual ‘Saturday’ girl. The business also frequently employs Juniors for work experience. | Support and Training:
The owner will provide full business familiarisation, training and handover to ensure a smooth transfer of the business to new Owners. | Reason for sale:
Having committed significant time to building the business up to its current position, the current Owner wishes to pass the business on to new Owners to build on the excellent foundations already laid. | | Turner Butler Disclosure Statement: This statement applies to information relating to any company or other undertaking or business advertised for sale by Turner Butler (a 'Business') The information supplied by Turner Butler on its website or in any other promotional material ('the Information') is not and is not intended to constitute an offer for sale of the Business or any assets of the Business or of the shares of any company which owns the Business. For the avoidance of doubt there is no intention to create a legal relationship which will only come into existence when a written contract for sale and purchase of the shares in or the Business has been entered into The Information provided is not intended to address your particular requirements. Further the Information does not constitute any form of advice recommendation representation endorsement or arrangement by Turner Butler and is not intended to be relied upon in making (or refraining from making) any specific decisions. Any agreements transactions or other arrangements made between you and any client of Turner Butler are at your sole risk and responsibility. The prospective sellers of the Business have provided the Information to Turner Butler. The Information has not been verified by Turner Butler. You must carry out your own due diligence and satisfy yourself as to the accuracy of all matters. In the case of the sale of shares in a Business the Information has been prepared on the basis that the shares will consist of or include more than 50% of the voting shares and that both the seller and the buyer is either a body corporate, a partnership, a single individual or a group of connected individuals so as to fall outside the scope of regulated activities as defined by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. If you are considering a transaction which falls within the scope of such regulated activities you cannot do so through Turner Butler. Appropriate professional, legal and accountancy advice should be obtained before making or refraining to make any decision. Turner Butler does not accept any responsibility or liability for loss or damage of any nature that may occur by reliance on the Information. Neither Turner Butler nor any of our employees or agents makes any representation as to the completeness or accuracy of the Information nor do we accept any liability for any losses, costs, liabilities or expenses which may arise directly or indirectly from your use of, or reliance on the Information. This document is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with English Law and any dispute arising in connection with it shall be subject to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts |
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