Couple put The Victoria up for sale

7:10pm Thursday 14th February 2013 in News By Emma Dunn

David Young and Anna Sprawson are selling The Victoria Pub in Old Town David Young and Anna Sprawson are selling The Victoria Pub in Old Town

AFTER eight years in business at The Victoria pub in Old Town, David Young and Anna Sprawson will soon be pulling their last pints.

David, 51 and Anna, 55, of Old Walcot, who run the popular music venue and bar, have announced they are selling the business.

They have confirmed that despite this, all gigs that are booked will go ahead as planned.

David said: "It will be sad leaving but we have been here eight years now and we have worked harder and harder ever year.

"We want a break. We commit our whole lives to this, we're here every day.

"Every year it has been getting busier. It is growing and growing. Whoever buys this place is buying a really good business.

“This is some people’s dream, as it was ours. I got to meet some of my idols.”

The couple also used to run the 12Bar until three years ago, where they hosted hundreds of acts including The Damned, which David said was one of his highlights.

During their time at the venue the couple have hosted gigs from numerous artists including Ed Sheeran, Newton Faulkner, The Hoosiers and The Wombats.

Tribute acts, original bands and artists, comedy and theatre are also popular acts there.

They currently have bookings running right through until the end of December.

Upcoming gigs include tribute band Kings Ov Leon tomorrow, Kate Bush Tribute – Never Forever on Sunday, and a Pink Floyd Tribute – Just Floyd on Saturday, March 2.

“All gigs that are booked will be honoured at the deal already agreed and everything will continue as normal,” said David. “We will only be selling the Vic to somebody who will continue supporting live music.

“It has to stay as a music venue. This is something different in Old Town.”

Anna said: “We have been talking about exit plans and it just seemed like the right thing to do for both of us.

“We hope the next people who run it put their own stamp on it.

“People say if it ain’t broke don’t fix it – but by some token they have to put their own personality into it.”

David is hoping to continue working as a sound engineer and help with promotions at the venue.

The leasehold is £250,000 and the business has a turnover of £561,802 Anybody who is interested in buying The Vic should email thevicswindon@aol.com or contact the agent by visiting www.sidneyphillips.co.uk

Comments(16)

RichardR1 says...
7:55pm Thu 14 Feb 13

As a leasehold I doubt they can enforce it remains a music venue, but clearly if it works that way there would appear no reason to change it.

Mind you it seems a substantial premium, someone with £250k could easily buy a freehold.

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SomeoneWhoIsntMe says...
10:07pm Thu 14 Feb 13

The most successful venue and always a great night out, will be sad to see them go but sounds like they deserve a break! Good on you Dave + Anna

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Empty Car Park says...
11:31pm Thu 14 Feb 13

RichardR1 wrote:
As a leasehold I doubt they can enforce it remains a music venue, but clearly if it works that way there would appear no reason to change it.

Mind you it seems a substantial premium, someone with £250k could easily buy a freehold.
I'm not sure that's true.

How would you know?

If only Robfm still posted on here.

As a past landlord (all be it not a very pleasant one) he would know.

He's not likely to post on here any more since, according to an Adver article, he's moved to Portsmouth ;-)

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RichardR1 says...
7:33am Fri 15 Feb 13

Empty, how would I know what precisely, that £250k is a lot for a lease or someone could by a freehold pub for that.

Not difficult simply look at trade magazines or specialist transfer agents.

Locally look at what several pubs went for freehold, the Barrington being just one, now that pub is huge with a lot of land, and letting accommodation.

I hope they get what they are asking of course, I merely expressed an opinion.

As for Robfm I think he mentioned on more than one occasion he wasn't going to Portsmouth but I guess you missed that bit.

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lazarus says...
8:59am Fri 15 Feb 13

But for the money you are paying you are not just getting another Swindon pub but a top music venue that is part of the national club circuit and a great reputation that goes along with that.

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RichardR1 says...
9:42am Fri 15 Feb 13

lazarus, would agree the only point I was making is that given it's likely to be a fully repairing lease with all the attendant costs £250k is a lot of money when the average lease with similar turnover are about £75k.

This one has a huge amount of land and a 1/4million turnover and is just £50k for a partially tied lease.
http://www.ga-select
.com/property-book/2
23/131/G4858L/

As I say I hope they get it.

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RichardR1 says...
9:42am Fri 15 Feb 13

lazarus, would agree the only point I was making is that given it's likely to be a fully repairing lease with all the attendant costs £250k is a lot of money when the average lease with similar turnover are about £75k.

This one has a huge amount of land and a 1/4million turnover and is just £50k for a partially tied lease.
http://www.ga-select
.com/property-book/2
23/131/G4858L/

As I say I hope they get it.

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Davidsyrett says...
11:51am Fri 15 Feb 13

had some great nights in the Vic over the years, good luck Anna & Dave for the future and lets hope it continues as a music venue.

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Empty Car Park says...
1:00pm Fri 15 Feb 13

"RichardR1" says
As for Robfm I think he mentioned on more than one occasion he wasn't going to Portsmouth


Shocking that he lied to The Adver' isn't it

http://www.swindonad
vertiser.co.uk/news/
local/9902877.Pair__
_s_farewell_to_popul
ar_pub/

"RichardR1" says
I guess you missed that bit

How could I "miss that bit" ? You insist Robfm doesn't comment here any more.

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Davidsyrett says...
1:08pm Fri 15 Feb 13

Empty Car Park wrote:
"RichardR1" says
As for Robfm I think he mentioned on more than one occasion he wasn't going to Portsmouth


Shocking that he lied to The Adver' isn't it

http://www.swindonad

vertiser.co.uk/news/

local/9902877.Pair__

_s_farewell_to_popul

ar_pub/

"RichardR1" says
I guess you missed that bit

How could I "miss that bit" ? You insist Robfm doesn't comment here any more.
Quite pathetic! Who really cares, comment on the story or just don't bother.

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RichardR1 says...
2:39pm Fri 15 Feb 13

Empty unable to comment on your link as it doesn't work. But as has been said what has that to do with the article in question.

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Empty Car Park says...
3:06pm Fri 15 Feb 13

The link works fine

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bradley red 1 says...
6:22pm Fri 15 Feb 13

They should bring back the people who ran it in the 90S ! always packed out in there weekends,good pub.

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RICHARDPIKE says...
9:46pm Fri 15 Feb 13

Sorry to hear that they are going good luck to them

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stu2010 says...
11:37am Sat 16 Feb 13

51? Jesus I'll have a pint of what he's having

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RichardR1 says...
8:25am Sun 17 Feb 13

We could have a knock about yes it does no it doesn't . However I have better things to do with my time so will just posts this:

'.
Sorry, the page you were looking for could not be found
Showing related results for: http://www.swindonad
%20vertiser.co.uk/ne
ws/%20local/9902877.
Pair...

Report this post »

click2find

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