The Chronicle

BUY YOUR OWN PIECE OF HISTORY

CBD site selling everything before renovation begins

- Charlotte Lam charlotte.lam@thechronic­le.com.au

TOOWOOMBA’S vintage lovers and antique collectors are in for a treat.

Here comes a one-off chance to own a piece of history from one of the city’s most famous hotels.

Demolition crews will soon start working on the Burke and Wills Hotel as part of its $10-million redevelopm­ent.

So everything from its 90 suites and rooms needs to go before it becomes a constructi­on site.

The Burke and Wills has announced a one-of-a-kind sale on Sunday, June 18.

Hundreds of prestigiou­s items will go up for sale at competitiv­e prices, including bedside tables, desks, lamps, chairs, bathroom accessorie­s, artwork, linen and more.

Burke and Wills Hotel venue manager Jodie Spence said it was time for the hotel’s next chapter to begin.

“It’s going to be wonderful for Toowoomba to have such a prestige venue and the heritage behind The Burke and Wills is just amazing,” she said.

“For me, what I love about Burke and Wills is its history. There’s not a person in town who I speak to who doesn’t know the Burke and Wills or has had an event here whether it’s a birthday or wedding, worked here, came in for a meal or had a conference here.

“Everyone always has a story to tell about the Burke

❝Everyone always has a story to tell about the Burke and Wills. — Jodie Spence

and Wills.”

The hotel called last drinks on Saturday. It is now closed for renovation­s the next nine to 12 months.

Plans for the 60-year-old Burke and Wills Hotel include an expanded gaming room, a new lick of paint, new glazed windows and a prominent new logo.

A complete internal and external redevelopm­ent of the venue will include a total of 85 rooms including 15 five-star suites, 70 four-and-a-half-star hotel rooms, five function rooms, two restaurant­s and a bar.

Burke and Wills owner Albert Hakfoort said: “It is emotional. It’s the end of an era, but it is also a very exciting time.”

The one-day sale will be held next Sunday from 8am-noon at the hotel.

Attendees are asked to bring cash. For event details, head to The Burke and Wills Hotel’s Facebook page.

 ??  ??
 ?? PHOTO: BEV LACEY ?? UNIQUE EVENT: Burke and Wills venue manager Jodie Spence shows some of the items that will be on sale.
PHOTO: BEV LACEY UNIQUE EVENT: Burke and Wills venue manager Jodie Spence shows some of the items that will be on sale.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Australia