Cider with rosy future at Brandy Wharf Centre

You'll not get a drop of ale or lager at a Lincolnshire riverside pub ­ and yet it's still pulling in punters from far and wide.

For the Brandy Wharf Cider Centre is a dream of a venue for cider-lovers.

More than 60 various ciders are available, of which there are up to 15 different types always on draught, along with bottled ciders, fruit wines and fruit liquors.

The Brandy Wharf sells no beers and is one of only a few such cider houses in the UK.

The property, which fronts the River Ancholme near Gainsborough, is for sale for the first time in approximately 30 years due to the pending retirement of owners Ian and Gillian Horsley.

Offers are invited around £200,000 for the freehold interest to include fixtures and fittings plus SAV.

Brownill Vickers, which is marketing the property, says it has a fabulous reputation which has been built up over many years and particularly since 1981 when the owners changed it from a main-stream pub to a cider house.

The proprietors have also built up a museum which is open by request and shows a large selection of cider bottles and earthenware jugs.

As well as its various draught ciders, the Brandy Wharf is well known for its food ­ much of which is pork-based, such as Lincolnshire Pork & Scrumpy Cider Sausage ­ and calendar of activities.

Activities include Wassailing Sunday in January, the Duckathlon in May, Scrumpy Row and Pig Face Sunday in September, Apple Weekend and British Sausage Time in October and

Tree Dressing Day in December.

The Brandy Wharf is recommended by Camra's Good Cider Guide and the English Tourism Council.

The Brandy Wharf also has an orchard with approximately 180 pear and apple trees and a site licence for five permanent caravans (caravans not included).

A millennium circle is under construction which is envisaged to be a 250ft-circumference stepping stone circle based around a "magical" weeping ash.

The ground floor features a riverside bar, lounge including locals entertainment area, and catering kitchen.

There is also two-bedroom accommodation.

Brownill Vickers says the inn, which attracts visitors from all over the world, has good sales and is very busy during the spring and summer when river traffic is at its peak.

Trade is increasing this year and food sales run in excess of 18,000 meals per annum.

The agent says that for the year ending 31 October 2000, sales were £158,324 net, and gross profit £73,034.