The owners of a popular seaside micropub and wine bar are calling time on their working life but hope somebody else will take it on.
Anthony and Jo Foggin have put the popular Ales & Antiques in Tankerton High Street up for sale for £525,000, which includes a three-bedroomed masionette above and an antiques showroom at the rear.
They opened the business in December 2021 but have now decided to retire.
Jo has a close affinity with the building from where her mother ran a fruit and veg shop in the 1970s.
The premises remained in family ownership and was previously an antique clock shop until the couple decided to open the wine bar and combine it with their own love of antiques.
The Foggins created their hostelry with a special interior feel and their decorative antiques were sourced from as far away as French flea markets.
But the couple, who once appeared on BBC’s Bargain Hunt, say they now want to retire and travel but will keep it going until they find a buyer.
“We’ve loved doing it and our lovely customers but as we are both now turned 60, we want to have more time to ourselves because it’s quite hard work,” said Jo.
“Our plan is to go travelling for a year but we will remain open until we find a buyer.”
Agents are selling the business as a going concern and say its location in the sought-after and popular High Street makes it an “exciting lifestyle and investment opportunity”.
It offers a good-sized garden leading to a showroom and outbuilding with services connected and rear vehicle access by a right of way.
They say the covered gazebo seating area is a great addition to the business and offers additional all-weather seating and dining.
In addition, there is planning consent to develop the space further into the building.
The property and business is being marketed through W H Breading & Son of Whitstable.
