Tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators in Belgrade defy police restrictions, protesting the Socialist party's annulment of opposition election victories in a significant political demonstration.
Literally Filling the Streets, Serbian Demonstrators Give New Meaning to Political Gridlock.
**"Read More" BELOW for the complete story**
In the winter of 1996–1997, university students and Serbian opposition parties organized a series of peaceful protests in the Republic of Serbia (then part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) in response to electoral fraud attempted by the Socialist Party of Serbia of President Slobodan Milošević after the 1996 local elections.
I was writing to The RSBS Groupwith regard to marketing Redgrave Spar Post Office & Stores
During the course of the rallies, students held their protests separately from the citizens' ones, led by opposition then gathered in coalition Zajedno (Together).
I was writing to The RSBS Group, 31 St. Neots Road, Eaton Ford, St. Neots, with regard to marketing Redgrave Spar Post Office & Stores introducing myself as the unencumbered freehold owner of a Spar Convenience Store/ Post Office and extensive adjoining buildings in Redgrave, Suffolk that I acquired from a family member just over a year ago and am now considering disposing of it.
The business comprises a retail convenience store in the latest Spar format with post office, new agency, off license and retail floor offering a host of other products and services such as video hire, Camelot Scratch-cards, photocopying and agencies for laundry, shoe repairs, and dry cleaning.
Following a complete refit upon acquisition costing over £20,000 with all new shop fittings, refrigeration and equipment, the store is now averaging £5,500 to £6,000 per week (still growing with surveyed potential of over £7,000 as we approach the peak summer season) and is fitted with the latest computer EPOS scanning, customer photocopier and CCTV systems which are all owned outright.
It is situated in an attractive 17th century listed building in the centre of the affluent village and conservation area of Redgrave opposite the village green and pond and serves this community plus a number of other neighbouring villages as the sole shop and post office. It has traded continuously as a retail shop since 1681.
It occupies a prime thoroughfare site on the old Ipswich/Norwich coaching route and also enjoys a significant passing trade which includes summer tourist traffic (Bressingham Steam Museum etc.) and transport traffic to the nearby Kerry Foods factory.
There are no parking restrictions along its extensive road frontage which allows lorries and cars to pull up right outside. Its post office has been recently promoted to full time from a community office and the salary has been increased twice with the promise of a further review in six months to reflect the growing transactions.
It is also hoped to upgrade the Camelot Scratchcard terminal to a full on-line lottery terminal in the near future and other initiatives in train include applications to become a Datapost outlet and DVLI agent. In short, this is a growing business with a lot of future potential.
The property comprises the shop itself, with forecourt, retail space, post office, rear office, cellar and two-bedroomed managers flat above and pays a notional rent of £833 per month in its management accounts and forms part of a large period building with a further rear flat which is let on a shorthold tenancy for around £270 per month.
It is owned in conjunction with an adjoining cottage on three floors next door which is currently let on another shorthold tenancy at around £370 per month. The building was decorated and renovated outside in Summer 1996.
The shop pays no business rates, taking advantage of the Mid Suffolk village shop/post office relief scheme, receives a Parish Council grant and the occupants of the manager’s flat, back flat and cottage all pay their own council tax.
The buildings benefit from existing and pending planning consents for the expansion of the post office, extended access to the cellars, and erection of a conservatory, and storage barn.
Additionally, there exists a large non-used garden (separate to the cottage and back-flat gardens) and two garages which additional space might gain consent for a further dwelling. There is also scope for expansion of trade into other areas and both the property and business is capable of future capital gain.
Currently the shop is managed for me by an efficient and well-motivated team comprising a manager occupying the flat above together with an assistant manager, News Supervisor and seven part time staff covering the opening hours of 7.00am to 9.00pm, seven days a week with a further three staff making newspaper deliveries.
The manager is now seeking to buy her own house in the village whilst continuing to manage the business. Now that the retail reorganisation and development is complete, my personal role is now limited to twice-weekly visits to process the accounts, payroll and pay bills etc. and to offer on-going business advice.
I now have the choice of either continuing to hold on to the business to develop its full potential or to sell the business and/or the property either all separately or together.
The shop could appeal as an investment to somebody who might wish to purchase the assets, goodwill and stock-in-trade and run it personally to save wages or with all or some of the existing staff, when a new lease could be entered into on terms which could be discussed.
Additionally, all three/four properties could be bought by an investor wanting the return of the three rents totalling £1300/£1400 per month or could be the target of somebody seeking semi-retirement where business rollover or redundancy pay could be put into acquiring the whole property, retaining and running the shop and receiving the additional rents and claiming personal salaries, VAT and expenses for tax efficiency.
The shop flat can be available for occupation whilst still retaining existing management if desired. The minimum responsibility that would be involved initially would be the financial and property administration.
I am flexible as to the best way of realising my investment in Redgrave Spar P.O. & Stores and would consider either just disposing of the business and creating a commercial tenancy, or disposal of the whole property with or without the neighbouring cottage. The disposal price/prices are open to negotiation.
My reasons for selling are that I actually retired from business in 1984 and now concentrate on managing a range of financial and property investments.
This property and business had to be taken over from a dependant family member and re-structured as separate tenanted properties and for the shop to have the investment it needed. It had always been intended to review its future and ownership after a year.
You are invited to advise me on what services you can offer to this end and arrangements can be made for a full inspection and survey. In view of the existing tenancies, management and staffing, and the central role the business has in community affairs; communication may only be made in strictest confidence personally with myself at the above address.