Local Wangaratta icon to reopen

Source: Wangaratta Chronicle - 23 Jan 09

A MAJOR redevelopment is planned to bring Wangaratta’s iconic Sydney Hotel back to life.

The once popular drinking hole, which closed suddenly last June, is set for a new alfresco dining area at the front, improved service area for staff to the rear and a full refurbishment inside.

Ken Butterworth, who bought into the Templeton Street business as part of a syndicate in September, hoped the new-look hotel would open to the public in May.

"We want to make it a modern hotel and a nice place that people feel comfortable in," he said.

"It will be inviting to both male and females with families and move away from the male-dominated pub it was before."

A planning application for the first stage, the new service area, was lodged with the Rural City of Wangaratta this week.

The next stage will see the redevelopment of the alfresco area, taking advantage of the vista provided by the adjacent King George Gardens, as well as new paint, carpet and furniture inside the pub.

The adjoining bottle shop will remain closed, but Mr Butterworth hinted it could be redeveloped as part of a longer-term plan.

Combined, Mr Butterworth said the works would freshen up the hotel without compromising the character of the 1939 building.

"The building hasn’t been fiddled with, it hasn’t been changed a lot of the years, and we don’t intend to change that," he said.

"It will have the same charm and character with the design internally remaining basically the same."

A retail audit report commissioned by the rural city council last year identified the Sydney Hotel as an opportunity to further develop the hospitality and tourism precinct in Faithfull Street.

It was suggested the pub could contribute to the public space which exists at the extension of Ovens Street and connects it to the nearby pedestrian bridge.