Revamp hope for old pub

A ONE-TIME popular Hobart pub is one step from getting a new lease on life, with a development application for a new business at the site of Waggon and Horses to go before the full council on Monday.

The former pub on Argyle St shut in December, with the previous licensee citing rising costs and changing customer habits as the reasons.

Now it is hoped the pub can undergo a full transformation, with representatives telling the Hobart City Council’s planning committee meeting last Monday of plans to turn it into a family friendly establishment.

Concerns about parking and “anti-social behaviour” at the old establishment were raised during the advertising period.

“We’re very conscious of the representations that have been made to council, we’re also very understanding of why they have been made,” said Michael Ball, a planning consultant acting for the owner.

“The hotel in the past has been operated in a very unsavoury manner and my clients hope to change that.”

Mr Ball said a different business model was proposed.

“They look to target more family dining,” he said.

“To that end you’ll see all the gaming equipment is removed from the hotel and the predominant area is dedicated to sit down dining.”

The previous business operated short term accommodation but under the proposal, the upstairs part of the building would remain vacant.

“If you’d visited the site you’d understand how bad the upstairs part of the hotel is,”

Mr Ball told the planning committee.

The business is proposed to operate from 10am until 10pm.

“That provides for the hotel to provide morning coffee, cake, brunches, lunches through til dinner,” Mr Ball said.

The idea of closing earlier was considered.

Planning committee chair Helen Burnet said: “I’m wondering if something a little earlier, like a closing time earlier on Sunday, could be something you feel is suitable, so instead of 10 o’clock, closer to 8pm”.

Mr Ball said 8pm would not be appropriate and noted the owners planned to close at 10pm instead of 12am on Fridays and Saturdays to minimise the potential impact on nearby residents.

“They’re the times when the hotel was creating the most issues in the surrounding areas,” Mr Ball said.

The development application was passed unanimously and will now go before the full council on Monday.