Daan Saaf OV9 Meet

[Marv]

People can be dickheads in groups, more-so when cars are involved

What are you suggesting, Matty?

[Matty]

Present company excepted, of course

[Marv]

Present company excepted, of course

Good. Now if anyone here suggests that there was someone revving an M3 CSL in the carpark who happened to match my description, that's definitely fake news...ok?

[MikeHunt]

Present company excepted, of course

Good. Now if anyone here suggests that there was someone revving an M3 CSL in the carpark who happened to match my description, that's definitely fake news...ok?

I saw or heard nothing

[duncs500]

The main guy has now come out and said that the freehold is being sold but they're just a leaseholder and not closing.

He's still made a few snarky replies in the comments, this guy just needs to not try to be the face of this thing IMO. I think he's probably genuine (and probably hurt by the criticism) but it's just not how you attract people to a business.

Anyway, glad of the news.

[Jobbo]

The main guy has now come out and said that the freehold is being sold but they're just a leaseholder and not closing.

He's still made a few snarky replies in the comments, this guy just needs to not try to be the face of this thing IMO. I think he's probably genuine (and probably hurt by the criticism) but it's just not how you attract people to a business.

Anyway, glad of the news.

I think that's bullshit. If it had been advertised stating the rental income I'd believe it but the ad states turnover, so it's talking about the business not just the freehold investment. How would the freehold owner know the turnover?

Edit: original ad withdrawn but a replacement is up, still not stating it's subject to a lease and still showing turnover. I can't see any agent advertising a property in that way unless the lease is coming to an end or the business is included in the sale: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/766196023113121

[integrale_evo]

I mean, it’s a nice enough place, and the food had always been decent when I’ve been. But really, it’s just an ok pub with a decent carpark where people with nice cars sometimes go.

I think in the early days they had trouble with the local yoofs in proper chavved up rubbish being a bit of a nuisance.

It’s kind of not really near anything interesting, I fancied a run out a few weeks ago when bored and found they were shut Mondays. I expect specifically targeting motor enthusiasts means it’s quiet other than nice evenings / weekends. Doesn’t really have much family appeal for ‘normal’ people to go to.

The Hill has more seating areas with cars around, more of a variety of places to park in groups, and is pretty close to other places where meets / shows are going on. It’s more of an event in its own right.

[duncs500]

The main guy has now come out and said that the freehold is being sold but they're just a leaseholder and not closing.

He's still made a few snarky replies in the comments, this guy just needs to not try to be the face of this thing IMO. I think he's probably genuine (and probably hurt by the criticism) but it's just not how you attract people to a business.

Anyway, glad of the news.

I think that's bullshit. If it had been advertised stating the rental income I'd believe it but the ad states turnover, so it's talking about the business not just the freehold investment. How would the freehold owner know the turnover?

Edit: original ad withdrawn but a replacement is up, still not stating it's subject to a lease and still showing turnover. I can't see any agent advertising a property in that way unless the lease is coming to an end or the business is included in the sale: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/766196023113121

Yeah, I dunno, you're right, it does seem strange but I'm not clued up on how these things are played.

Here's his post, make of it what you will:

[duncs500]

It’s kind of not really near anything interesting, I fancied a run out a few weeks ago when bored and found they were shut Mondays. I expect specifically targeting motor enthusiasts means it’s quiet other than nice evenings / weekends. Doesn’t really have much family appeal for ‘normal’ people to go to.

The Hill has more seating areas with cars around, more of a variety of places to park in groups, and is pretty close to other places where meets / shows are going on. It’s more of an event in its own right.

What's more interesting near the Hill? Ampthill is nice enough and there's other good pubs around. Plenty of big meets in the local area too. To me I'm not sure there a massive difference in quality of the location but I agree that the Hill has a more interesting layout.

[Jobbo]

I saw his post. Very short, tried to be unambiguous but doesn't explain anything. They're not closing... yet. The operating business might not own the property but they may well own it in a propco or holdco. There is certainly a lease registered at the Land Registry dated October 2023, and that must be for at least 7 years so is consistent with what he states at the top. But the advert wouldn't have been put online without instructions and the way it's worded and the info provided very much looks like it's the property and business being sold as a going concern, which is quite feasibly true while allowing Phil McGovern to make that post honestly.

[integrale_evo]

It’s kind of not really near anything interesting, I fancied a run out a few weeks ago when bored and found they were shut Mondays. I expect specifically targeting motor enthusiasts means it’s quiet other than nice evenings / weekends. Doesn’t really have much family appeal for ‘normal’ people to go to.

The Hill has more seating areas with cars around, more of a variety of places to park in groups, and is pretty close to other places where meets / shows are going on. It’s more of an event in its own right.

What's more interesting near the Hill? Ampthill is nice enough and there's other good pubs around. Plenty of big meets in the local area too. To me I'm not sure there a massive difference in quality of the location but I agree that the Hill has a more interesting layout.

There’s always a big crowd after events at Gaydon and Bicester, presumably after meets for groups of mates, people dropping in on the way past, people coming along knowing there will be a decent amount of machinery there from those events.

[duncs500]

According to Google maps there's 9mins difference between going to the Hill and the Bowl from Bicester so I imagine it depends on your onward journey.

The Hill is the original so it makes sense that more people will know about it, and with it being more established the bigger footfall means more cars which then entices more people again. Plus as I said, it's a better layout and just has a bit more character.

I just don't see the location itself to be part of the problem.

[duncs500]

I saw his post. Very short, tried to be unambiguous but doesn't explain anything. They're not closing... yet. The operating business might not own the property but they may well own it in a propco or holdco. There is certainly a lease registered at the Land Registry dated October 2023, and that must be for at least 7 years so is consistent with what he states at the top. But the advert wouldn't have been put online without instructions and the way it's worded and the info provided very much looks like it's the property and business being sold as a going concern, which is quite feasibly true while allowing Phil McGovern to make that post honestly.

Watch this space then I guess.

[MikeHunt]

Interesting It’s disappeared from Rightmove, but the agent’s website says the business is included in the sale and refers to a possible sale-and-leaseback. That doesn’t quite tally with the update from the owner.

[Jobbo]

The original advert was removed from Rightmove but it was re-posted there and doesn’t look any different: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/766196023113121

I tried to find it on the agent’s website and couldn’t yesterday so thanks for that Gavin. Confirms it, doesn’t it.

[duncs500]

I'm confused though, is C&M the leaseholder or freeholder? Phil said they're the leaseholder, but the ad implies since they are their 'client' they are the freeholder but would consider continuing under a lease?

[Jobbo]

There is a lease registered at the Land Registry, granted in 2023. So the operating company of C&M almost certainly holds that lease (I'm not spending money to download a copy to confirm) so he's not lying. But if they own the freehold through a different company then they might be selling the whole lot; or the freehold is held by a third party and they''ve agreed to sell the business as part of the freehold sale, based on the agent's details above. Whatever, the agent's details confirm the branding is not included so it won't be a C&M even if a car-related venue keeps going there.

[integrale_evo]

Tempted to pop in on my way to Bicester tomorrow, just so I can say I’ve taken the Alfa, incase it closes down

[integrale_evo]

Booked in for 2pm today if anyone fancies it?

Will probably just have a drink and a mooch for an hour or so before carrying on my way.

[duncs500]

Sadly we're away for the day, and the car is in the shop. Let us know how dead it is!