• Well-established Highland based fruit and vegetable wholesalers based in the thriving town of Tain.
• Easy-to-operate business model with sound client base, and potential to expand.
• Trading from a large freehold unit and yard, comprising of storage areas, chilled stores, office, and bathroom facilities, extending to over quarter of an acre.
• Robust turnover and operating profitably with an experienced small team.
• Detailed handover period available plus full introduction to the existing client base.

DESCRIPTION
Munro Fruit Merchants is a well-established business with an excellent reputation and over 25 years’ experience supplying to many businesses across the North Highland area. Operating mainly as a wholesaler of fruit and vegetable products, the business distributes across the region, extending to Inverness, Inverness-shire, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross-shire. The focus has always been on customer satisfaction and the quality of the product offered which is sourced locally where possible. Trading from Unit 4, out of the Blairliath Industrial Estate in Tain, the location is ideal for easy access of vehicles. The main unit is a ground floor storage facility extending to around 160m2 with a large work / storage area, chilled storage room and staff facilities, as well as a modern office accessed via a separate front door. There is a dual temperature external cold storage building located to the side of the main building. The total area extends to 0.26 of an acre and is wholly owned by the business. The vans are currently leased. The current owner is willing to provide a full handover period including personal introductions of the new operators to clients.

TRADE
Munro Fruit Merchants trades mainly through the provision of wholesale fruit and vegetables plus ancillary goods (including dairy products), to a wide range of local businesses set across the Northern Highlands. During lockdown the business constructed an online shop for the general public, offering a simple and easy website with basket, checkout, and delivery for a small fee. This has proven so successful that this operation is now a permanent part of the business model. Trade is robust and growing with turnover for the year ended 2021 achieving nearly £1m.

REASON FOR SALE
Having successfully operated the business for over 25 years, it is now the desire of the vendor to retire which brings this successful and profitable business to the market. The owner is happy to assist new owners in the early stages to ensure continuity.

STAFF
The business is owner operated with the support of 11 full-time and 1 part-time member of staff.

LOCATION
Tain is an attractive and historic market town in Ross-Shire which sits on the A9, the main arterial route in the Scottish Highlands. Tain has a wide range of amenities including shops, supermarkets, medical facilities, schools and recreational facilities. The unit benefits from a central trading location with numerous other trading outlets. Tain as a general location is certainly popular for walkers and field sportsmen with an abundance of local wildlife, trout and salmon fishing opportunities. Golf is another popular activity in the area with a championship standard course in Tain plus the famous Championship Course of Royal Dornoch which is only a short drive away. For tourists, Tain is well placed to explore a range of castles, distilleries and indeed is a good base from which to make a day trip to Loch Ness and visit the Highland Capital itself. The locale is well-known for its lovely golden sandy beaches, especially at Dornoch and Portmahomack, both within a short drive. Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands, is approximately 35 miles away, accessed by an easy commute and offering extensive shopping, leisure and entertainment facilities, along with excellent road, rail and air links to the south and beyond.

THE PROPERTY
The business trades from a detached single storey unit of block construction. The main unit extends to 160m2 and comprises of an open-plan storage and work area set with tables and shelving. There is also a large chilled room which maintains the required low temperature, ensuring produce is kept fresh. Other facilities include wc and staff area as well as further storage areas. There is a cold store to the side of the main building of approx 46m2, providing an additional chilled store. Access to the property is via large sliding double doors set to the front of the building, and a smaller door with direct access to the office. There is parking to the side of the unit.

GROUNDS
Unit 4 extends to just over quarter of an acre. There is an area of grassed lawn which could be utilised for further development subject to relevant consents.

TITLE NUMBER
The property has a title number of ROS10538.

SERVICES
The property benefits from mains electricity, water and drainage.