Sea View Conservatory Garden

Covean Cottage
Guest House, Cafe and Restaurant
St. Agnes, Isles of Scilly

A rare opportunity to acquire a character cottage home in an idyllic setting with its own sub-tropical gardens and sea views including the well established business of a guest house, cafe and restaurant.

We feel that we can do no better in these sales particulars than to reproduce the first page of Covean Cottage Guesthouse’ brochure, and we make no apologies for this:

Peace and tranquillity are assured on St. Agnes, the most south westerly of the Isles of Scilly. Rocky coves, sandy beaches, coastal footpaths and panoramic views of the Western Isles, provide a diversity of attractions to fill a leisurely holiday.

St. Agnes is the last of the islands on which many of the resident inhabitants still derive much of their income from traditional means, flower farming and fishing. It is, therefore, not surprising that regularly returning visitors, many for 20 years, comment favourably on the lack of any major changes on the island or the way of life. It is against this background that our visitors enjoy their holidays and familiarise themselves with the island’s 365 acres and its 65 inhabitants.

A little under a mile long and less than half a mile wide, a walk around the island can be accomplished in a morning. To fully explore all the small coves and stop to admire the views or the profusion of wild flowers can take days. The clear pollution free atmosphere provides an ideal environment for the keen photographer whether it be views, wildlife or family snaps.

Situated on a major migration route, birds, too, can provide an interesting challenge, particularly in the spring and autumn when large numbers of many species can be seen as they stop off to rest and feed.

Sea fishing is available from any part of the coast, no permit is required.

Swimming is best from the beaches of Covean, Porth Askin and the Bar, which leads to Gugh, but avoid the latter at high tide as the current can be strong.

After dinner entertainment varies daily, from a quiet walk to watch the sun set over the Western Rocks on which many a vessel has floundered (including some of the Spanish Armada); a boat ride to watch the Gig Racing; a slide show in the Island Hall, a cricket match on the Meadow or a well earned glass of your choice at the “local”. Alternatively, you may wish to relax with a good book and a glass of wine from the comprehensive range available at the Island Stores.

The previous Owners of Covean purchased the property in 1983 and over the years, built a very successful business of guest house, restaurant and cafe. In 2003 they retired and sold the property to their daughter and son-in-law, Mr. & Mrs. Sedgeman. For the last two years Mr. Sedgeman has continued running the business on his own and because of this has cut back on the cafe and tea gardens and restaurant and concentrated more on the accommodation of guests. We would suggest that it would be very simple for a new purchaser to increase the business again to it’s previous capacity.

Many works of improvement, modernisation and extension have been carried out which, together, provide the excellent accommodation described below.

Covean is only one of three guesthouses on the island of St. Agnes and one of only two cafes. It shares its restaurant business with the only public house and one other restaurant and, therefore, it is obvious that Covean has an excellent opportunity to trade within the small community.

The cottage faces south and nestles in the lea of the granite carn at the rear, thus having an idyllic sheltered position with sea views from all of the front windows and some of the side windows.

The main extensions over the years have been to the rear of the property and this has meant that a design has been cleverly created on two levels so that from the front and rear entrances there is direct access to the gardens.

The accommodation comprises:

On the Ground Floor:

Entrance from the front garden is into:

Verandah (L-shaped) 16’0” X 6’0” plus 8’4” X 6’0” Three walls are fully glazed giving views across the garden to the sea. There is a vinylay covered floor and two walls are left exposed granite, being the main walls of the

cottage. There are two pedestrian doors to the gardens, 6 power points, telephone point, serving area for ice creams. The verandah has seating for twelve persons on three tables.

Kitchen 11’0 X 11’ 0” plus alcove under stairs and a fire place which houses the oil fired Aga. Fittings include floor units having a double bowl single drainer stainless steel inset sink and a separate single bowl stainless steel sink both with hot and cold connections.

Other matching floor cabinets and wall storage cabinets all with melamine faced doors.

The main fittings include a Parry stainless steel 9213 oven and 9171 four ring hob. Parry eye level commercial grill. Winterhalter dishwasher. Instanta still. Swan microwave. Eurozap wall mounted electric fly exterminator. LG refrigerator / freezer. Bosch refrigerator.

A stable door at the rear of the kitchen leads into:

Sitting Room / Office 10’6” X 10’6” Vinylay covered floor. Three wall lights and one ceiling light point. Eight power points. Telephone point. Fire alarm control board. Door to garden terrace.

On the opposite side of the hallway from the kitchen is the:

Guests’ Dining Room 10’9”X 10’0” Having exposed granite wall with wood burning stove converted to Calor Gas inset into fire place. Seaview from the front window. Two power points. Five wall light points. Seating for eight to ten covers.
A wide archway leads from guests’ dining room into:

Guests’ Sitting Room 13’4” X 11’0” Having raised slate hearth. Six power points. Television aerial point. Two wall light points and ceiling light point. Window to garden.

A central staircase leads out of the hallway to:

On the First Floor

Long central landing with power point and door at the far end into the garden (giving a separate access for guests)

Owners’ Accommodation:

Bedroom 10’11” X 9’5”. One exposed granite wall. Five power points. Television socket.

En-Suite Shower Room Fitted with shower cubicle with Triton Passion shower unit. Pedestal wash hand basin. Low level w.c. Heated electric towel rail. Fluorescent light/shaver socket.

From the bedroom a patio sliding door leads into:

Conservatory / Sitting Room 12’0” X 10’0” With glass to all sides and a glazed roof. Sea views. Six power points. Telephone point.

Double doors lead to the garden terrace.

Guest Bedrooms

Bedroom 3 (double bedded) 11’0” (including separate w.c.) X 11’0” minimum (13’0” maximum) Having full sea views. Built-in wardrobe. Window seats. Four power points. Television aerial connection.

En-Suite Toilet Fitted with low level w.c. Wash hand basin and bidet. Fluorescent light/shaver socket.

Bedroom 4 (Twin-bedded) 10’11” X 9’10” Having sea views. Window seat. Four power points. Television aerial cable. Vanity basin set into a four drawer cabinet with hot and cold connection and fluorescent light/shaver socket over. Built-in wardrobe and dressing table.

Bedroom 2 (Double bedded) 10’9” X 10’7” Having sea views. Electric paneled radiator. Built-in furniture including corner wardrobe and two dressing table units. Vanity unit with wash hand basin and hot and cold connection and fluorescent light/shaver socket over. Two wide shelves. Exposed ceiling joists for effect. Four power points. Television aerial socket. Additional 5-amp electric spur points.


Bedroom 5 (Single bedded) 10’6” X 5’3” Having a built-in single wardrobe and four drawer storage unit. Four power points. Television aerial cable. Garden views.

NB This bedroom is not used as a guest bedroom at present, could be re-utilisied as a single guest bedroom or otherwise could convert to a private bathroom.

Bedroom 1 (Double bedded) 12’2” X 10’9” Having sea views. Electric panelled radiator. Five power points. Television aerial socket. Exposed ceiling beams for effect. The dimensions above include:

En-Suite Shower Room Fitted with a shower cubicle having Redring Super Extra electric shower. Pedestal wash hand basin. Low level w.c. Fluorescent light/shaver socket. Electrically heated towel rail.

Additional Shower Room 11’0” X 5’0” including a built-in store cupboard with shelves and drawers. Further built-in cupboards house the factory insulated hot water tank with electric immersion heater and linen store. There is a built-in vanity basin and low level w.c., with concealed cistern having tiling splash backs and a feature shelf. Glazed shower cubicle housing the Triton Passion electric shower unit. Electric towel rail. Three recessed ceiling spot lamps.

Outside The gardens are a special feature of the property having an abundance of sub-tropical shrubs and flowers and laid to rockeries and lawns which give ample scope for outside catering and guests use.

The garden is basically segregated into two areas, one on a higher level with is gated and is used predominantly by the owners and this area includes:

Owner’s Detached “Snug” 10’5”X 10’0” A useful and somewhat unusual room being constructed of paneled hardwoods and used as a quiet meditation room by the previous owners, the room is now an occasional single bedroom and teenage room. It has a vinyl timber-effect floor and central skylight. Two power points.

The room is approached through trellis work and a separate patio area with garden pool.

Store / Workshop 22’0” X 14’9” of concrete block and granite construction with a corrugated sheeted roof. Double door access. Eight various make freezers. Power and electricity supply. Miele washing machine. Beko tumble dryer

Two Timber Store Sheds Both having electricity connected. One with wash hand basin used as a laundry room. The other is a workshop / store.

Part above and part below ground water storage tank and 4 above ground tanks which together give the water supply which is pumped from a shared Council controlled borehole.


THE BUSINESS: Covean is the only “Listed” guest house on the island of St. Agnes and currently enjoys a 4-Diamond grading from the English Tourist Board.

The tea room / gardens are one of only two on the island of St. Agnes and the restaurant is one of only three including the Turks Head public house. Therefore, the property has an almost monopoly situation in the majority of its trading.

There is, therefore, ample scope for an interested purchaser to increase the business again and, in fact, there is spare capacity in most areas other than the accommodation which is virtually booked from year to year.

More details of the business will be given to serious applicants on request.

FURNISHINGS, FIXTURES AND FITTINGS: The above price is to include all furniture, furnishings, fixtures and fittings other than the owners’ furniture and effects, thus enabling a would-be purchaser to continue trading with very little additional expenditure being required. An inventory will be provided to a seriously intending purchaser.

SERVICES: We are advised that mains electricity is connected to the property. Water is metered and supplied from a shared borehole owned by The Duchy of Cornwall which is pumped automatically into the storage tanks. Drainage is via a private septic tank system.

ASSESSMENTS:
For the purposes of Council Property Tax, the living accommodation is designated in Band ‘E’ in the Valuation List, producing a charge of £1255.92 for the year 2007/2008.

Business Rates for Guest house and premises: Rateable Value: £4,700 Amount payable for current year: £2072.70

TENURE The property is held on a full repairing and insurance lease from the Duchy of Cornwall for a period of 60 years commencing on the 25th March, 2003.

Rental has been and is as follows:
25th March 20023 - 24th March 2004 £5883
25th March 2004 - 24th March 2005 £6666
25th March 2005 - 24th March 2007 £7500

Thereafter the rent shall be re-assessed every five years to a negotiated market rental. This market rental shall take no account of the following improvements and alterations which have previously been carried out.
1) Rear extension with two double bedrooms
2) Lessees side conservatory
3) Front conservatory used as part of tea rooms.
4) En Suite bathroom to bedroom 3
5) Wash hand basins fitted to all bedrooms other than bedroom 3
The rent review from 25th March 2017 shall be assessed as an open market rental to include the above.

Under the Landlord and Tenant Acts the present lease can be automatically extended for a further fourteen years after it’s expiry at terms to be agreed