Pub re-opening not a silly idea

A SUGGESTION by Cairns CBD councillor Richie Bates to re-open part of the old Courthouse Hotel to earn some return for ratepayers should not be brushed aside, ignored or placed in the too-hard basket.

It could be two years before plans to make the building part of an extensive arts and cultural precinct become a reality.

The pub has been closed for more than a year now and has become an empty shell in the heart of the city.

It’s costing ratepayers to service and maintain the premises with council crews regularly mowing the lawns and tidying the gardens.

Why not put it to good use as a watering hole and earn some dollars?

The council argues that it would cost too much to reactivate because there’s a lot of remedial work that has to be done.

The re-opening does not have to be on a grand scale and certainly not include the former gaming side of the operation.

The liquor licence is still valid and all that would be needed is the main bar and not the kitchen as well.

Simple foods such as toasted sandwiches and pies could be sold to patrons sipping a cold beer.

The beer garden out the front was a hive of activity every afternoon and night with the big screen showing footy and other sporting events.

There are plenty of experienced pub operators who would leap at the chance to run an iconic watering hole in the centre of town.

In some of the vacant rooms artists could display their wares to sell as another drawcard to bring life to a vacant space.

Cr Bates needs to present a solid business case with costings and revenue estimates to get his idea across the line.