ROMSEY Hotel is in the final planning stages of making a renovated return to the town of Romsey, thanks to an $8 million upgrade which is set to provide major economic growth for the surrounding area.
The new renderings show an updated look of the hotel, which has sat there for the last nine years, basically untouched for a number of reasons.
In 2017, the tenants who occupied the building went broke, leaving the place in a dire position and unable to continue without major changes.
The Review caught up with Jim Hogan, the owner of the hotel, who believes it will offer a point of difference for the whole community in the future, driving economic growth in the town and becoming a real hotspot for tourists in the area.
The makeover is set to include a range of new rooms and spaces in the building, including a saloon bar, kids’ room, private dining room, alfresco dining area and a café which would open in the early hours of the morning, offering another place for locals to eat.
Mr Hogan described the update as “a family-friendly venue that offers an elevated dining experience”.
“There is going to be nothing quite like what it will offer, especially in Romsey, with the opportunity to have weddings and functions there.”
The Review asked him if the success of the 1860 had fuelled the fire to get back into the pub game in Romsey, but it was a short reply of “I don’t comment on other venues, what they do is their business.”
So where is everything at right now?
Mr Hogan is waiting on council to approve the plans, given they require further information, which is currently going through the process.
He is confident that the job can be started once it’s approved by council and is keen to hear expressions of interest from local tradespeople who are looking for an opportunity within the Macedon Ranges.
He is also keen to point out that there will be close to 80 jobs up for grabs in the future, including casual, part-time and full-time positions to run the restaurant.
“The current manager at Hogans in Wallan is a Romsey local, Darren Freestone. He’ll oversee the processes and does a terrific job already here in Wallan.”
Will there be pokies?
No, there will be no gaming at the premises, including pokies or a TAB.
Mr Hogan said that’s business as usual and it isn’t a deciding factor.
“We want to give the community a place of difference to eat, and I think the people of Romsey will love it.”
Frustration over the closed premises
Members of the Romsey community have speculated about the hotel for years, which has only opened a handful of times since 2017 for sports clubs to hold fundraisers.
Many theories emerged about a fast-food restaurant taking over, followed by speculation that the football club or a motel would be built.
Some members of the community also believed that a denied attempt to introduce pokies was what frustrated Mr Hogan and led to him keeping the premises closed. However, he denies that, saying bills cost too much when the previous tenants went broke.
He said, “The hotel was tenanted between 2011- 2017. The tenant went broke, and I had to pay all the back rates and tradesmen who the tenant didn’t pay. Then covid hit and all pubs were closed. After that the Romsey Football Club wanted to lease the hotel however when they failed to obtain gaming approval, the arrangement with them ceased. I’ll be running the hotel myself and look forward to providing a fabulous asset to the community. The venue will comprise café/bakery, saloon bar, private dining room, family bistro, kids playroom, al fresco dining, and function room”
Time is now the key to the renovations, which lies with Macedon Ranges Shire Council, who have to approve the plans if Romsey is to see the historic building back up and running.
