Havet Building Hits the Market, But the Dining Favourite Isn’t Going Anywhere

Regulars of Tonbridge’s Havet can rest easy. The prominent High Street building housing the popular Turkish-inspired dining venue has officially been put up for sale, but the restaurant itself is staying firmly rooted in the town centre.

The news follows a strikingly similar story covered recently in the Tonbridge Bean, when the building housing Verdigris—positioned further along the High Street near Medway Wharf Road—was listed for sale via Bracketts while the restaurant continued normal operations uninterrupted. Local food lovers can take reassurance in knowing that, just like Verdigris, Havet’s presence on the High Street remains completely secure under its commercial lease.

What’s On the Market?

Estate agency Bracketts has listed the freehold interest for 150–152 High Street & Sterling House. Offered on a Price on Application (POA) basis, the building represents a substantial freehold, mixed-use investment producing an annual gross income of £118,840.

The property is situated towards the northern end of Tonbridge High Street, approximately 0.4 miles from Tonbridge mainline station. The total Net Internal Area (NIA) spans approximately 637.43 sq. m (6,861 sq. ft).

The Havet Building as advertised by Bracketts.

Key Investment Highlights:

Freehold Mixed-Use Investment: Ground-floor commercial restaurant space combined with upper-floor residential apartments.
Total Annual Income: £118,840 per annum.
Commercial Tenant Income: £70,000 per annum from Havet.
Residential Income: £48,840 combined annual rental income across four self-contained upper-floor flats.
Prime Location: Situated in an affluent Kent commuter town with fast rail connections to London Bridge, Cannon Street, and Charing Cross (35–50 minutes).

Why Havet Isn’t Going Anywhere

For local diners concerned about losing another High Street staple, the details of the lease agreement provide complete peace of mind.

The ground floor commercial unit is occupied by ATH Catering (Kent) Limited, trading under the well-established Havet brand. The brand forms part of a regional restaurant group known for serving high-quality Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine in modern, high-spec settings. Before entering into its current commercial lease, the team had already operated from the property for around five years, solidifying its place as a staple of Tonbridge’s local culinary scene.

Floor Plan of the Ground Floor at Havet. Source Bracketts.

Crucially for the community:

Long-Term Security: The restaurant operates under a 23-year commercial lease signed on 18 August 2022, running through to 17 September 2045.
Protected Tenancy: The lease sits inside the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, offering legal protection of tenure.
Fixed Structure: Rent is set at £70,000 per annum with five-yearly upwards-only rent reviews, structured on a Full Repairing and Insuring (FRI) basis.

The venue itself boasts a fitted dining space accommodating roughly 160 covers, supported by a customer dining area, an open-plan kitchen, extensive food preparation/storage facilities, and dedicated WC facilities.

The Upper Floors: Sterling House

Above the restaurant lies Sterling House, a residential investment formed through the conversion of former office spaces. While primary access to the restaurant is on the High Street, Sterling House is accessed discreetly via Jeffreys Passage, the pedestrian alley connecting Bank Street to the High Street.

The upper floors comprise four self-contained apartments, all currently fully let on individual Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs):

Unit	Level	Layout	Size (approx.)	Current Annual Rent
Flat 1	First Floor	1-Bedroom	73.70 sq. m (793 sq. ft)	£13,200
Flat 2	First Floor	1-Bedroom	61.57 sq. m (663 sq. ft)	£11,940
Flat 3	First Floor	1-Bedroom	64.00 sq. m (689 sq. ft)	£11,700
Flat 4	First Floor	2-Bedroom	49.00 sq. m (527 sq. ft)	£12,000

Together, these four flats generate £48,840 per year, complementing the £70,000 commercial lease to create a total passing yield of £118,840 per annum. (Source Bracketts).

A Familiar Trend on Tonbridge High Street

The sale of 150–152 High Street mirrors the marketing of the Verdigris property (89 High Street) just last month. Both transactions highlight a growing trend in Tonbridge: investors capitalizing on high-performing, mixed-use commercial and residential freeholds in prime town-centre spots.

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