Sell My Cafe, Convenience Store and Post Office Business

Over 60 years’ experience selling businesses in a multitude of sectors

How to sell my UK business

When placing a business for sale it’s good practice to assess whether any everyday issues or challenges could diminish its value and compromise the chances of achieving your objectives.

Outdated IT or administration systems, lack of staff training, and relationships that could be better with suppliers, can all reduce the final value achieved in a sale, and negatively affect your financial future.

Planning for the sale of your business

Advanced planning could take several years – some business owners include an exit strategy in their initial business plan - but paying attention to areas that face scrutiny by potential purchasers does help you achieve the best price possible.   

When your business does not fit neatly into a particular industry or sector, securing the services of professional business sales brokers with the broadest experience is also an important consideration for success.

 

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• Previous sales and acquisitions experience
• Sector specialisms and average success rate
• Sales value expectations and growth potential

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10 Key Questions to Consider Before Appointing an Advisor

Our Essential Checklist to Selling your Business

What to think about when selling your business

A planned exit strategy

As we mentioned earlier, some business owners formulate an exit strategy when they start their business. Included in the original business plan, it provides a ‘road map’ for running the business and becomes an ‘ideal’ ending to aim for. If you haven’t yet developed such a strategy our expert team will take time to understand your aims and goals, and help you formulate a plan.

Value my general business

If you’re interested in selling your consumer business, such as a café, convenience store, post office, funeral director service, health and safety business, kennels, catteries or veterinary clinic, we offer a general business valuation service to calculate business worth. By valuing your business prior to entering into negotiations with buyers, you can maximise returns and share an accurate report on the financial health of the business. Celebrating over 60 years’ in the business transfer industry, we have a distinctive understanding of the business landscape across the country and can help you source a buyer.

How to value a general business

A business valuation will assess the position of your business in the financial market and effectively indicate towards a possible sale price, answering the question – what is my business worth? The Selling My Business dedicated valuation team will request 3 years’ worth of recent/historic accounts to assess the worth of your business, taking into consideration overheads such as outstanding loans, credit lines and debentures.

Why are you selling the business and what are your objectives?

One of the most common reasons for selling a business is approaching retirement. If this is the reason why you’re selling, achieving your financial goals may be the most important aspect. Ill health is also often a factor when deciding to place a business for sale, as is a declining market, or simply wanting to move on to a new venture.

Professional assistance when selling your business

You’ll need professional legal and accounting assistance during the selling process. Potential buyers will want to view your accounting records and financial documentation including insurance policies and asset registers. Legal assistance will also be required for the various documents that must be produced during a business sale.

Valuing your business

Valuing a business requires a deep understanding of the industry in which it operates, as well as practical experience of selling businesses in general. It’s a complex process, and you’ll need to take into account any intellectual property such as trademarks and copyrights, in addition to the goodwill you’ve built up over the years.  

Staying in the business post-sale

The business sale may be structured in such a way that you stay on for a pre-agreed time after the sale. This could be on a consultancy basis only, and involve an initial payment from the buyer, followed by instalments over the time you remain. This type of ‘earn out’ arrangement offers a longer handover time for the new owner – it can ease the process in general, and reassure customers that a high level of service will continue.

The selling process in practice

Having considered some of the common aspects of selling a business, what are the practical steps involved?

Information Memorandum

The information memorandum contains details about your business, and is the first official document produced for the sale. Its contents vary depending on the type of business you run, but will typically detail your products/services, the market you serve, number of staff, a short history of the business, and the reasons you’re selling.

Confidentiality Agreement and negotiations

In any business sale there’s a risk that sensitive business information could fall into the hands of competitors if it isn’t protected prior to negotiations. A comprehensive non-disclosure agreement should be signed by any interested parties before the information memorandum is released. 

Heads of Term agreement

When a serious buyer has been identified, negotiations naturally become more in-depth. A Heads of Term agreement is drawn up to reflect the results and provide a framework for the sale.  

Due diligence

Buyer due diligence is one of the main stages of a business sale. The prospective purchaser hires professional advisors to scrutinise your accounting and financial documentation, and ensure the details you’ve provided are accurate and reliable.  

Sales Agreement

When all terms and conditions have been agreed, including any warranties and indemnities, the sales agreement is drawn up and signed by both parties. This is a legally binding document and ensures your own needs, and the needs of the buyer, have been detailed.

Selling My Business has more than 30 years’ experience of successful business sales, covering all industries and types of organisation. For more information or advice on selling your particular business, please call one of our expert team of consultants.