Ready to Sell Your Business the Right Way?
Tell us a little about your business, and our team will get in touch to discuss your best options. No pressure, just expert guidance tailored to your goals
FAQs
A Business Transfer Agent, also known as a Business Broker, facilities the sale and purchase of a business. Essentially, business transfer agents are like estate agents but for businesses. We guide owners through the entire process of selling and help buyers find the right opportunities.
Selling a business on your own can be both stressful and risky. We hold your hand throughout the entire process leaving you free to continue with your daily work and future plans.
Our services include providing a full business appraisal, preparing professional marketing material, creating attractive listings on various advertising platforms, handling the enquiries and negotiations from prospective purchasers. Plus much more.
A key part of our service is the support that we give. Our agents have bought and sold businesses of their own and are therefore fully aware of the concerns, emotions and stress that take place throughout the process.
There are many ways to assess a business. The method used will depend on the type of business and the reason the valuation is required.
A business appraisal includes both factual information and subjective factors, such as goodwill.
When selling a business the assessment generally starts with your accounts so that the economic worth and stability of your business is established. Other factors such as the market position, quality of assets and premises, management structure, goodwill etc; are also considered.
Ellis & Ellis BTA will discuss with you your earnings, assets, industry trends, and market demand to establish a realistic and achievable price for your business. We are transparent with our appraisals so that you are fully informed to make the right decision for your business.
It is important that you are fully informed of how your business broker has established the suggested asking price AND the achievable value. This is important for various reasons, one being the scenario where a buyer needs to obtain finance to purchase your business. An unrealistic price could be the difference between you finding a buyer and that buyer not being in a position to actually gain the finance required to afford your business.
Ellis & Ellis will talk you through the numbers so that you can make a fully informed decision.
A key difference with Ellis & Ellis is that we visit each business that we work with. Not only does this enable us to suitably assess your business, it also enables us to proactively sell your business.
We handle a wide range of small and medium businesses and have experience in all types of businesses.
Ellis & Ellis represent all sectors including cafes and high street retail shops, to professional services and specialist firms.
We have extensive experience in selling high street business such as Hair salons, Sandwich Bars, Cafes, Tea Rooms, Coffee Shops, Tapas bar, Micro Bars, Newsagents & Off Licences, Restaurants, Florists, Convenience Stores plus larger commercial and industrial concerns such as a Sign Writing Businesses, Window manufacturers, Heating & Plumbing Businesses, Kitchen suppliers etc; Also niche businesses such as Bridal Shops, Wedding Services, Children’s Play Centres, Stationary Stores, Dry Cleaners, and many more. If we don’t think we are the right Business Transfer Agents for you we will be completely up front and honest with you as to why.
This is a sensitive area and one that many business owners can agonise over.
The timing of informing your staff of the potential sale or imminent sale of your business is important. And you are the best person to determine the right time to deliver this information.
We have worked with many businesses owners and appreciate the fear is that you will lose your staff as soon you tell them. In reality, this is not the case.
Calling a meeting and explaining your reasoning is far better than your team hearing about the sale from someone else. You can reassure your staff that in as many as 90% of business sales the new owners are extremely committed to making no changes to the current business (certainly in the first few months); and that includes keeping on the current staff. TUPE is a UK law that protects employees and ensures that employee’s terms and conditions are protected under the new ownership.
Likewise with customers; yes, a few may try elsewhere but the majority tend to remain as a customer as your location is convenient, they like the atmosphere and staff, the pricing works for them etc;
If this is a real concern for you however, let’s talk about the options. We can manage the sale confidentially so your staff and customers are unlikely to be aware of the sale until you feel it is the right time to announce it.
We combine our buyer database with online listings, direct marketing, and industry contacts to reach the right audience.
We advertise on the main platforms such as RightBiz, Businesses For Sale, Daltons Businesses and our own website. We have a huge, nationwide reach and ensure that our advertisements are professional, eye catching, detailed and frequently refreshed. We can also offer a ‘For Sale’ board if suitable for your business.
In addition to the advertising we utilise our extensive database of potential purchasers. We have many buyers seeking investment opportunities.
All leads are followed up and qualified, using multiple methods.
Ellis and Ellis are personable, professional and honest. We seek to match the right buyer with the right business. Our intensive research prior to listing a business arms us with the information required to understand the perfect marketing strategy for your business
This is the process where a buyer checks the finances, contracts, and overall health of a business before completing the purchase. It aims to prove the information they have already been provided with, helps highlight any potential risks and confirms that the business is a worthwhile investment.
As a purchaser; Depending on your experience, and the business you are looking to purchase, you may need to enlist the help of an accountant, financial advisor and/or solicitor to assist you this process.
As a vendor; Having your paperwork in order will greatly assist with satisfying the purchaser’s due diligence requests. This will help to give the purchaser confidence in moving forward. You can expect to be asked to show your audited accounts, VAT returns that support your financials, licenses, permits, employment contracts, EPC rating etc. The purchaser will of course need to complete a Non-Disclosure Agreement prior to receiving such documents.
Absolutely, we work with both vendor and purchaser.
Whilst we represent the sellers we also guide the buyers so that both sides understand the sales process and the transaction goes smoothly.
We can also assist the buyer with their search for a business by adding them to our database and pro-actively contacting them when a suitable business comes to the market.
We operate throughout England, working with both vendors and purchasers.
Being based in the East Midlands and specialising in East Midlands and the wider area, the majority of the businesses we represent are based in the East Midlands and wider area.
We work with buyers from all over the UK and overseas.
The first step is to get in touch. You can contact us by calling us, texting, WhatsApp, email or completing the enquiry form on our website.
We can arrange a confidential consultation and a free business valuation.
Our initial telephone consultations usually last around 20 minutes, with a follow up conversation or meeting at your premises. Where possible we prefer to visit you. We offer a very personable service and ensure that you are fully informed to make the right choice of agent.