Prominent SA hoteliers reveal plans to rejuvenate pubs at Naracoorte and Nairne
A prominent group of hoteliers has unveiled plans to breathe new life into two country pubs following their success reviving a string of Adelaide Hills venues.
SA Business
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA Business. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Mapped and profiled: Who own’s SA’s pubs? Explore the data here.
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser subscription
- Crafers Hotel takes out award as best overall hotel in the country
A prominent group of SA hoteliers has unveiled plans to revive two country pubs following their success turning around a string of Adelaide Hills venues.
Ed and Julie Peter, Brett Matthews, Martin Palmer and Scott Brumby will complete a multimillion-dollar upgrade of the Kincraig Hotel in Naracoorte after acquiring the historic hotel from administrators earlier this year.
They are also working on plans to upgrade the District Hotel in Nairne following its recent acquisition, and last week added the Lion Hotel in North Adelaideto their growing portfolio.
The group’s members have previously been involved in the redevelopments of venues including the Stirling, Crafers and Uraidla hotels.
Upgrades to the Kincraig, valued at more than $3 million, will incorporate a new cafe-style offering and a refurbishment of the main dining room and courtyard areas.
WHO OWNS SA’S PUBS? EXPLORE THE MAP
The venue’s 20 gaming machines will be removed while the 35 accommodation rooms will be transformed into 22 higher quality suites, each with ensuite.
Ms Peter said the focus was on creating a family friendly environment.
“The Kincraig is one of the most grand, beautiful hotels you’re going to see,” she said.
“These properties have their own little soul and once you start taking them apart and taking a look at it, it talks to you and tells you what it wants to be.
“I think the basis of this is we’re all really interested in the wellbeing of the community – the pub is the hub and we just want to be a part of the community.”
The Kincraig dates back to 1934 when it was built for the Tolleys – prominent winemakers, distillers and merchants at the time. It is one of the few local establishments to preserve the name of Naracoorte’s original township.
However a checkered recent history led to its closure last year, when a group backed by the Bloody Mary Group, Port Adelaide midfielder Ollie Wines and former forward Angus Monfries, fell into administration.
A bottle shop and a small dining room are currently open at the hotel ahead of the imminent start of construction work.
The staged project is expected to take around 30 months to complete, with up to 80 local jobs to be created once completed.
It is the latest in a series of accommodation upgrades in Naracoorte in recent years, including the refurbishments of the Naracoorte Hotel Motel and The Avenue Inn.
Mr Matthews said the project would offer a boost to the local economy in the state’s South-East.
“The wine region down there is doing quite well, the Coonawarra, and we’ll be the place of choice,” he said.
“It’s really a two pub town with three pubs – when Ed and I went down there the first thing we said was that we’ve got to be different.”