Featured Listing – Cumbria Stoves Ltd

Cumbria Stores Ltd, trading as Cumbria Stoves, represents an outstanding opportunity to acquire a highly regarded, long-established stove retail and installation business located in the heart of the Lake District. Established in 2004, the business has built an enviable reputation over more than two decades for delivering expert advice, premium products, and a fully managed installation service. Operating as a true turnkey operation, Cumbria Stoves supports customers from initial consultation through to supply, installation, and chimney lining, ensuring a seamless and professional experience at every stage. This commitment to quality and service has resulted in strong levels of repeat custom and a consistent flow of referrals, making the business a trusted name within the local community and beyond.

Specialising in high-quality stoves, Cumbria Stoves is an approved dealer for a number of respected and well-known brands including Morso, Stovax, Gazco, Burley, Dunsley, Esse, and Salamander. This wide-ranging portfolio allows the business to cater to varied tastes and budgets while maintaining consistently high standards. Customers value the depth of product knowledge offered, alongside honest guidance tailored to individual property requirements. The business has not relied heavily on advertising, instead growing organically through reputation, recommendation, and long-term customer relationships. This provides a solid foundation for a new owner to maintain existing performance while also exploring further growth opportunities.

The sale of the business is prompted solely by the owner’s desire to retire, creating an ideal opportunity for a buyer to step into a profitable, well-run enterprise with a proven trading history. The business is offered for sale at an asking price of £119,950, representing excellent value given its strong profitability, reputation, and position within a highly desirable geographic location.

The business operates from a highly attractive location at 34a Main Street, Staveley, Kendal, LA8 9LN. Staveley is a thriving village situated close to Windermere within the Lake District National Park, one of the UK’s most popular tourist destinations. The area benefits from year-round appeal, drawing both permanent residents and a steady stream of visitors, particularly during peak seasons. The premises enjoy a central position along a busy thoroughfare, offering visibility from the main road while also benefiting from convenient access via a nearby alleyway. This positioning ensures the business captures passing trade while remaining easily accessible for customers travelling from surrounding towns and villages.

Transport links further enhance the appeal of the location. Staveley railway station is within close proximity, and the M6 motorway can be reached with ease, allowing customers from across Cumbria and neighbouring regions to access the business without difficulty. The combination of strong local trade and tourist footfall provides resilience and balance, ensuring the business performs consistently throughout the year. For a new owner, the location offers both stability and opportunity, particularly if opening hours or marketing activity were expanded to capitalise further on visitor numbers.

The premises themselves are modest in size but extremely well suited to the operation. The two-storey unit is situated just off the main road, with a simple but effective shopfront leading into a compact and well-presented showroom. The ground floor comprises an open-plan retail and display area measuring approximately 3 metres by 3 metres, featuring tiled flooring and an inviting layout that allows stoves to be showcased effectively despite the limited footprint. The first floor is accessed via internal stairs and is primarily used for storage, also incorporating a toilet facility. The space is practical, efficient, and easy to manage, enabling low overheads and smooth day-to-day trading.

Prominent roadside signage significantly enhances visibility and helps attract passing trade, while the straightforward layout ensures that a new owner can take over and continue operating with minimal disruption. The vendor owns the freehold and is offering the business on a leasehold basis, with a new lease to be negotiated and rent set at £6,000 per annum. There is also the option to purchase the freehold by separate negotiation, offering flexibility depending on the buyer’s preference and long-term plans.

The business is currently operated by the owner, supported by an experienced installer and two part-time office staff. All staff members are happy to remain with the business following a sale, providing continuity and valuable operational knowledge. This makes the transition particularly appealing for buyers who may be new to the sector, as well as those seeking a bolt-on acquisition to complement an existing operation.

Included within the sale is the goodwill of the business, its established branding, loyal customer base, and online presence, including the website and social media accounts. These assets provide a ready-made platform for ongoing trade and future development. While no physical assets or stock are included in the sale price, a branded pick-up truck currently used for deliveries and installations is available by separate negotiation, should a buyer wish to acquire it.

Cumbria Stoves operates sensible opening hours that reflect the owner’s lifestyle, leaving clear scope for growth. A new owner may choose to extend opening hours, expand marketing efforts, or increase the geographical reach of the installation service, all of which could drive additional revenue. Given the ongoing demand for energy-efficient heating solutions and the enduring popularity of stoves in rural and semi-rural settings, the business is well positioned to benefit from favourable market conditions.

This is a rare opportunity to acquire a respected, profitable, and long-established business in one of the most desirable regions in the UK. With an asking price of £119,950, Cumbria Stoves offers an excellent return on investment and a strong foundation for continued success under new ownership. Businesses of this calibre, with such a solid reputation and consistent financial performance, seldom come to market, particularly when offered for sale due to retirement rather than trading difficulties.