INFORMATION REGARDING COMMERCIAL LEASE OF CAPTON CATTERY
Initial applications are welcome from anyone/partners all meeting the criteria below and also from any current businesses wishing to extend their own customer role – cat sitters/dog walkers/animal businesses etc who meet the criteria below.
Thank you for your interest. Here are some important points to note.
- You need to live within a radius of MAXIMUM 30 minutes’ drive time to Capton Cattery.
- This is a LEASEHOLD agreement. You will be required to pay a monthly rent for the use of the facilities. You will not own the cattery FREEHOLD.
- You will be SELF-EMPLOYED. This is not an employed position where I am your employer. You will need to be registered with HMRC as self-employed. You will need to submit your own tax returns in accordance with HMRC rules and regulations. You will need your own bank account and National Insurance number.
- I will remain the LICENCE HOLDER with Somerset West and Taunton Council. I will be overseeing that DEFRA policies are adhered to by the leaseholder. I will have access to the cattery at agreed times to check HEALTH AND HYGIENCE, RISK ASSESSMENTS AND CAT CARE. I will provide all relevant TRAINING and to ensure all procedures are respected and followed to yourself and any staff you wish to include.
- All DAY TO DAY running of the business is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. This is a 7 day a week role. Every day, at least twice a day you will need to be caring for your guests.
- You will be RESPONSIBLE for all feeding, cleaning, bookings, arrivals and departures.
- You will be RESPONSIBLE to purchase new food, litter and other items to run the business.
- You do not need to be OPEN for customers all day, every day but you will need to be present EVERY DAY including weekends and bank holidays. This is mandatory. In caring for animals there is no ‘day off’ unless you have staff to cover you.
- In peak seasons expect to work very long days to ensure success of the business.
- You will need to be physically fit – be able to lift and manoeuvre30 ltr bags of cat litter. Assist when necessary carrying a cat in their cat carrier. Be physically flexible to ensure full cleaning and disinfecting of pens.
- You must be able to drive and have your own vehicle – parking available.
- You must be over the age of 18.
- You will need your own mobile phone with data allowance for business use – there is no landline or wifi available at the cattery. The website will state this new number + my contact details in case of emergency.
- Understand that current bookings are no reflection on future bookings.
- There are toilet and washing of bowls/trays/pen facilities on site.
- There is no washing machine on site – all washing of bedding to be done externally by leaseholder.
- THERE IS NO RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE WITH THIS LEASEHOLD.
- Staff cover will NOT be provided by the Licence Holder of Capton Cattery.
TURNOVER
Expected turnover 4/19 to 4/20 – POA
Projected turnover 4/20 to 4/21 – POA
YOUR COSTS OUT OF TURNOVER
Rental fee (includes website and email server fee) – monthly £450 or quarterly £1350 or biannually £2700
+ Waste disposal cost by Viridor (used cat litter/packaging/general waste)
+Personal and public liability Insurance cost – currently circa £280 P/A
+A proportion of any Licence Fee costs
+Electric costs – water heating + lighting + radio and depends on usage of heating in winter months circa £10 – £30 per month currently
+Possible electrical replacements – water heater/lighting/wiring and sockets
+ Cat food – wet/dry/treats +Cat litter – wood based only –circa £250 average per month
Phone contract + data use
Incidentals – disinfectant, washing powder/liquid, cloths, printing costs, floor paint, replacement of cat toys/bedding etc, heat lamp bulbs, stationery etc. Anything you buy
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE RENT
Outside maintenance of cattery and immediate area – structural maintenance of cattery, gardening and car park maintenance plus we will be responsible for the removal of windows in the warmer months and the insertion of windows in the cooler months. Further may be included on Lease agreement.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RENT
An initial deposit will be requested for use of all current – stock, bowls, bedding, litter trays, toys etc.
You are responsible for inside maintenance – floor painting, cleaning of structure, daily cat care etc plus you are responsible for new purchases of floor paint, new purchases of equipment, new purchases of heat lamp bulbs, new purchases of bedding/baskets, new purchases of litter trays, new purchases of feeding bowls, new purchases of cat toys. Further may be included on Lease agreement.
GENERAL INFORMATION
I have loved setting up this hugely successful business over the last five years. I designed a structure that is a 5 star rating with the council and hear feedback from customers how they love the spacious pens, the view over the fields and my care and attention in looking after their beloved pets. You meet and get to know your clients and their humans very well.
Now, I wish to take on a new role on the farm but the cattery is in high demand. By offering a lease I can step back from the business on a daily basis and hand the reins to someone else to continue to provide 7 days a week cat boarding care.
The business keeps increasing! Due to the client base I see peak periods from early spring to summer and late summer to late autumn. I have many clients that use my facilities over the winter months for long stays. Quieter months can be November and early January. I have bookings in the diary as far ahead as October 2020 and already had enquires for Christmas 2020. I also have a fully trained part-time member of staff. You’ll be busy.
I am currently limiting bookings for August – medical reasons.
I am currently limiting bookings for September and October as I step in to part time hours.
I am currently not taking bookings after October 2020
The lease is able to start as soon as you wish – allowing for lease agreements to be drawn, legal matters to be covered and a suitable period for training. As soon as the lease is agreed I will open up the booking diary for August onwards.
Holidays are possible. Either use trustworthy staff to cover (they have to be trained, be over 18 and drive) or close the cattery over your holiday dates. Bookings either side of your holiday will be limited as arrival/departure dates can be in your ‘closed’ period. General rule is add on a week either side of your holiday for reduced bookings – the monthly rental remains the same. Many catteries choose to close over off peak periods to reduce the loss of business.
Well done for reading this far.
If you would like to be considered as the leaseholder please complete the INITIAL APPLICATION FORM and return by post or email to sara@captoncattery.co.uk. I will consider all applications and I will be in contact!
Postal applications to – Sara White, Haycorn, Capton, Williton, Taunton TA4 4LX.