Who are we?
Ellis & Ellis was established in Nottingham in 1988 and has traded continually ever since. With more than to 2,000 businesses having passed through our books, we are your experienced and trusted agents.
Ellis and Ellis are Business Transfer Agents, also known as Business Brokers. We offer a free, no obligation appraisal of your business, professional write up, nationwide advertising and full support throughout the entire process of selling your business; all the way until completion of the sale.
Having sold businesses of all types we are confident that we are the Business Brokers for you. Whether you own a high street business such as a Hair salon, Sandwich Bar, Newsagents & Off Licence, Restaurant, Florist, Convenience Store or a larger commercial and industrial concern such as a Sign Writing Business, Window manufacturer or Kitchen supplier etc; we will give you an honest appraisal upon which to make a decision.
Any business that can demonstrate a trading record can be sold. Businesses may occupy either freehold or leasehold premises and occasionally may trade from home. All can be sold!
The majority of our clients are recommended to us by previous buyers and sellers. We also receive a high number of referrals from Solicitors and Accountants.
If you are thinking of selling your business get in touch for an obligation free, no cost business appraisal.
Why choose Ellis & Ellis Business Transfer Agents?
Having sold businesses of all types we are confident that we are the Business Brokers for you. Whether you own a high street business such as a Hair salon, Sandwich Bar, Newsagents & Off Licence, Restaurant, Florist, Convenience Store or a larger commercial and industrial concern such as a Sign Writing Business, Window manufacturer or Kitchen supplier etc; we will give you an honest appraisal upon which to make a decision.
We are proud to say that the majority of our clients are recommended to us by previous buyers and sellers. We also receive a high number of referrals from Solicitors and Accountants.
Any business that can demonstrate a trading record can be sold. Businesses may occupy either freehold or leasehold premises and occasionally may trade from home. All can be sold!
If you are thinking of selling your business get in touch for an obligation free, no cost business appraisal.
What Area Do We Serve?
Ellis & Ellis have historically specialised in the Midlands area, covering Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland. We believe in the personal touch and see great value in meeting with our clients. However, we do appreciate that people are time poor and technology has advanced significantly to enable virtual meetings, and are therefore open to working with businesses further afield.
FAQs
We work a little like estate agents but for businesses. We guide sellers through the entire process; from presenting their business for sale through to completion of the sale. We also assist buyers in their search for the right business for them, along with supporting them through the process of purchasing.
Selling a business can be stressful and risky. Navigating through the process without support can create costly mistakes. We provide accurate valuations, protect confidentiality, sift through the enquiries, follow up to determine credibility of prospective purchasers and handle negotiations to secure the best outcome. We also utilise our extensive database of potential buyers and advertise on the main advertising platforms for businesses, nationwide.
Appraising a business generally starts with your financials. We look at the earnings, tangible and intangible assets, goodwill, industry trends, and market demand to give a fair and realistic value.
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.
From cafes and shops to professional services and specialist firms, we handle a wide range of small and medium businesses.
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 fear is that you will lose your staff as soon you tell them. In reality, we have found that 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 almost 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 you have already been provided with, helps highlight any potential risks and confirm 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. 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. 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.