The Birdcage, a bar and kitchen on Bedford Street in Middlesbrough, has been placed on the market with an asking price of £65,000, commercial agents Parker Barras have said.
Deal specifics and trading model
The listing notes the business is currently subject to a lease with a rent of £1,350 a month and has four years remaining on that agreement. The venue, which launched in 2024, trades between Thursday and Sunday and holds a licence covering 09:00 to 00:00 daily.
According to the agent's advertisement, the site benefits from a fully fitted commercial kitchen and a well-stocked bar, and offers external bench seating for customers who wish to drink al fresco. The property is described in the advert as an eye-catching opportunity in a popular town-centre street.
"An expertly decorated pub opportunity in Middlesbrough located in one of the popular streets in the town centre," the advert says.
What the numbers mean for buyers and staff
At an asking price of £65,000 and rent of £1,350 a month, the headline figures will be the starting point for prospective buyers assessing the venture. Monthly rent equates to £16,200 a year, which is a substantial fixed cost for a business operating predominantly across four days a week. Buyers will therefore need to factor in weekly takings and operating margins when calculating whether the cash price and the remaining lease term deliver an acceptable return.
Investors will also be alert to the trade pattern. Limited trading days can reduce wage bills and utility costs compared with seven-day operations, but they also cap potential revenue, particularly at peak times. The advert asserts "healthy" weekly takings, although no specific turnover figures have been published.
- Asking price: £65,000
- Rent: £1,350 per month
- Lease remaining: 4 years
- Trading days: Thursday to Sunday
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Asking price | £65,000 |
| Monthly rent | £1,350 |
| Lease remaining | 4 years |
| Trading days | Thursday–Sunday |
Sector context and risks
The listing arrives amid a cautious period for high-street hospitality. Rising input costs, labour shortages and shifting consumer habits since the pandemic have made margins tighter for many operators. For a purchaser, the remaining four-year lease is a double-edged sword: it offers short-term security of tenure but may limit longer-term negotiating power over rent or redevelopment possibilities.
For staff, the current trading pattern suggests roles are likely concentrated on peak, late-week trading — common in venues that focus on brunch and evening trade. That model can create flexible and part-time employment opportunities, though it may also suppress guaranteed hours and stable incomes for employees compared with full-week operations.
The Birdcage occupies a unit that has previously housed other local venues, indicating the location has sustained hospitality use but also underlining the churn that can occur on busy high streets. The estate agent notes that stock will be available separately at valuation for any incoming buyer.
Prospective purchasers will weigh the advertised "expertly decorated" fit-out and the venue's recent opening in 2024 against the fixed costs and limited trading days. The outcome will depend on whether new owners can sustain or grow takings, renegotiate terms with the landlord when the lease allows, and adapt the offering to local demand — all while keeping an eye on costs that squeeze margins across the sector.
For local consumers and staff, a sale would likely mean continuity if the new operator maintains the current trade model, but could also bring change if the premises are repositioned to chase greater footfall or longer opening hours.
