The Guernsey Housing Association (GHA) is seeking a new tenant to run the restaurant, currently called Magnolia Tree, at its extra-care development at Le Grand Courtil in St Martin’s.
The current tenants are moving to a new venture at The Last Post so the opportunity has arisen for a new proprietor to operate the restaurant, which has a requirement to cater to the residents of the development but is also a commercial prospect.
Alongside the core business there is scope to operate a takeaway or outside catering business thanks to a large, modern and fully equipped kitchen.
Rock Commercial is acting as the sole agent for the premises and director Peter Van De Velde said that the restaurant represents a rare proposition for Guernsey.
“It’s extremely rare that a commercial premises becomes available with a kitchen that is not only equipped to an extremely high standard but is already operational and ready for trading,” said Mr Van De Velde.
“With a kitchen and premises of this size and quality there’s clear scope to run a fairly sizeable commercial food operation in a great location. St Martin’s village is surprisingly lacking a café so there’s a gap to be filled and the right tenant could really become part of the community.”
The GHA has restaurants in both of its extra-care developments, at Le Grand Courtil and La Nouvelle Maraitaine, which are designed to allow residents to live independently but with the reassurance of on-site support if needed.
New tenants for Café Amiti, at La Nouvelle Maraitaine, took over the premises in August 2018 and have been successful in making it a hub for the community.
Steve Williams, chief executive of the GHA, said: “We want our extra-care developments to be communities and the restaurants can be a big part of that, as we have seen with Café Amiti at La Nouvelle Maraitaine.
“While it’s a requirement for any tenant to serve our residents they can of course also explore other commercial opportunities and make use of the fantastic kitchen facilities on site.”
