Former Leeds United striker brings pub and restaurant to market - retiring after more than 40 years in hospitality
The Victoria in Cattal (image credit: Christie & Co)
A former Leeds United striker has brought a Yorkshire pub and restaurant to market as he seeks to retire after more than 40 years in the hospitality sector.
Christie & Co has been instructed to market The Victoria in the village of Cattal, near York.
Former Leeds United striker Steve Balcombe has owned and operated various pubs in the area over his 41-year career in hospitality, including the Duke of Wellington in East Keswick, The Crown Inn at Great Ouseburn, and The Bull Inn at West Tanfield, and has enjoyed the last 21 years at The Victoria in Cattal. He is now looking to sell the business and retire.
The Victoria sits at the epicentre of the proposed Maltkiln village, a development of 4,000 new homes as well as two primary schools and other amenities. The pub is situated directly adjacent to Cattal train station and close to major road links including the A59 and A1(M).
Occupying a 0.97‑acre site, The Victoria has the potential for further development. A large area of unused land currently serves as overflow parking but could be transformed, subject to planning permission, into additional income-generating space such as glamping pods, lodges or accommodation.
Externally, the pub also features a trade garden with seating for more than 100 customers, as well as parking for approximately 50 cars.
The first-floor owner's accommodation includes three bedrooms, a lounge, kitchen-diner and bathroom.
Steve Balcombe and his wife Gillian said: "We have absolutely loved our time here at The Victoria, and we have some amazingly loyal customers. It will be with a heavy heart that we hand over the keys when the time comes, because we've loved every minute of it.
"In the meantime, it is still business as usual, and we are gearing up for a very busy spring-summer."
David Cash, regional director at Christie & Co, added: "Opportunities to acquire freehold free houses in such advantageous trading locations rarely come to market. The business has traded consistently well for two decades and has huge potential for growth, with or without the new housing development. We expect interest from corporate pub companies as well as regional and local multi-site operators."
The Victoria is on the market with a freehold asking price of £850,000.