White Bull, Ribchester: How you can get your hands on one of the most photographed pubs in the country

The White Bull in Church Street, Ribchester, which is known for its bull statue above the entrance, is being offered for £249,950.

For that price, the new owner would get the pub, dining and hotel business, but not the premises, which would be leased.

It comes just months after the business won a Trip Advisor Traveller’s Choice Award 2022, putting it in the top 10 per cent worldwide.

But the owners have decided to "test the market" while they consider a new chapter.

What's the history?

In 2019, Bob and Marilyn Brooks took back the pub they previously owned 25 years before.

It had been vacant for five years and the couple carried out a major refurbishment, taking the pub back to it's 1707 coach house style, putting their son Chris in as general manager.

Bob said: "We're really pleased with how it's gone. it's a fantastic business. We've done very well from it, but now we want to test the market.

"Chris is looking to possibly move into a more city environment and with the way the recruitment market is, we're doing more hours than we anticipated.

"There comes a time of life when you want to enjoy your retirement."

The details

The business currently generates around £11,000 takings a week, making a net profit of around £100,000 per year. Gross profit is listed as 70 per cent.

As well as a pub, it offers dining and three en-suite letting rooms, which are fully booked most weekends.

The business is free of tie.

The story of the wooden statue

Bob and Marilyn believe building is possibly one of the most photographed pubs in Britain with its unusual White Bull wooden statue above the pillared front. Records show that the statue was added to the building when it was originally used as a court room with holding cell.

The pillars are said to have been found in the nearby river and are thought to be Roman in origin, having been been part of ‘The temple of Minerva’ – a place of worship in Roman times.