A new era again for reborn pub
BATESFORD Hotel owner Tanya Bennett is leaving on a high, having rebuilt the popular pub and wedding venue following a 2016 fire.
Ms Bennett has listed the business and freehold to the Ballarat Rd hotel for an expressions of interest campaign closing March 28.
JLL vice president, investment sales, Mathew George said price hopes were above $3.5 million for the hotel and business.
Ms Bennett bought the pub in 2011 and has overseen two renovations.
“We completely renovated it before the fire. The fire meant we had to demolish more than half the building and completely rebuild the kitchen and function room,” she said.
“It looks so beautiful — it’s been so well received I feel we’re leaving on a high.
“For me, I’m leaving with such pride with the way looks.”
Ms Bennett said the Batesford had forged a reputation as a foodie pub, generating plenty of return visitors from Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road and Ballarat.
But she said the real beauty was that it is 10 minutes from Pakington St.
Mr George said the hotel provided two venues under the one roof with the main hotel built around 1850 featuring a bar, bistro, function room and it sunroom, plus outdoor seating and service areas, while the new Moorabool Room at the rear of the hotel overlooks an expansive garden by the river.
He said forward bookings included 23 weddings already confirmed.
“The hotel occupies a prime riverfront position on over 5100sq m only minutes from the ring road and less than 10 minutes to the centre of Geelong,” he said. REAL ESTATE MARKET WRAP: P19