Residents worry pub may close after sale

CLYDE locals are worried the pub they have frequented for many years might close now it has a new owner.

Dunstan Hotel owner Kevin Gallagher confirmed this week he had sold the Sunderland St business he bought three years ago.

The hotel, in the main street of Clyde, was built in 1904 and includes 10 guest rooms, a twobedroom flat, a restaurant and a beer garden.

Mr Gallagher said a company bought the building, but he was not sure who owned the company.

‘‘I’m hoping a local entity would keep it going.’’

A Facebook rumour is circulating in Clyde part of the building is to be used as a cycle shop.

The operator of an Otago Central Rail Trail cycle business declined to comment when approached yesterday.

One Clyde resident described it as ‘‘a very sad week’’ for the local community.

The hotel was where ‘‘local octogenarians have gathered at the same table for 30 years’’ and such things as Anzac Day services had ended.

‘‘The heart and soul of yet another small New Zealand community is cut out.’’

The hotel employed about 15 staff, two of whom worked full time, Mr Gallagher said.

Employees losing work was ‘‘not something you want to see happening’’.

‘‘Nowadays pubs are quite a challenge.’’

The hotel would be taken over in a few months, but Mr Gallagher would not specify exactly when.

He and his wife sold the establishment because it became too time consuming as they also had businesses overseas.

The site has had a hotel since 1862.