A Rossendale fish and chip restaurant and takeaway that first fired up its fryer in the year Queen Victoria died has been put on the market by its current owner. Costa Tofalis has instructed Bury-headquartered Blacks Business Brokers to find a new proprietor for Toffalis of Crawshawbooth, with a guide price of £349,950 to take over the freehold property that houses the business, as well as a three-bedroom flat.
The business is located on the ground floor of a three-storey terraced property on Burnley Road in the village of Crawshawbooth. The restaurant consists of a well-maintained dining room with seating for 26 customers, a takeaway counter and a separate food preparation area.
The first and second floors of the freehold property are given over to a large residential apartment, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The property also has a basement, which is currently used for storage.
Mr Tofalis, who took the business over in 2006, has now sadly taken the decision to sell the property as a result of ill-health. Toffalis of Crawshawbooth, which is operated solely by Mr Tofalis and his wife June, recorded turnover of £72,000 for the 11-month period ending in February 2020, based on opening for 22 hours per week.
The business has achieved an excellent reputation since being taken over by Mr and Mrs Tofalis 15 years ago, and prides itself on the quality of the ingredients it uses, including its fish, which is sourced from sustainable North Atlantic fisheries. Toffalis has its own website and an excellent reputation on social media.
While Toffalis of Crawshawbooth is the epitome of a modern, high-quality, fish and chip restaurant, its history dates back at least 120 years. In the census taken in 1901, the year of Queen Victoria’s death, the occupation of the property’s head of household was recorded as “Chip Potato Dealer”.
John Gaskell, director at Blacks Business Brokers, said, “Food fashions come and go but a good fish and chip shop will never be short of customers – and Toffalis of Crawshawbooth is one of the best. This is a beautifully presented, well-equipped business which has more than a century of history behind it and a great reputation on which a new owner can build for the future.
“The property also benefits from a large duplex flat which could either provide owner’s accommodation or be rented out to generate additional income. Crawshawbooth is one of the most sought-after neighbourhoods in Rossendale, so the inclusion of a residential apartment is a real bonus.”
The village of Crawshawbooth, which is located to the north of Rawtenstall in Rossendale, is home to the Grade II*-listed Crawshaw Hall and one of the world’s oldest Quaker Meeting Houses. Well-known residents include the comedian Ted Robbins.
