Saracens Head to reopen as Duxton Pubs adds four new city and regional pubs to its quickly growing portfolio

Our fastest-growing pubs group has continued its buying spree, snapping up four local hotels including its first in the CBD. Explore our map to see who owns SA’s pubs.

Duxton Pubs will soon take over the Saracens Head on Carrington St. Picture: Supplied

Historic Adelaide pub the Saracens Head will reopen its doors ahead of a major renovation after being taken over by the state’s fastest growing pubs group.

Duxton Pubs will take control of the venue in the coming days, while also planning refurbishments at three more recently acquired venues.

In recent weeks the group – led by Ed Peter, Brett Matthews and Martin Palmer – has agreed to purchase or already snapped up the Saracens Head, the Brompton Hotel, the Royal Oak in Penola and the Bushman’s Arms in Naracoorte.

The buying spree forms part of an ambition to become one of the country’s top three pub owners.

The Saracens has remained closed since January, when its previous operator fell into the hands of administrators.

Brett Matthews at the refurbished The Lion Hotel. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Mr Matthews said there were plans for a “soft opening” before Christmas, ahead of a major refurbishment next year.

“The Saracens is an iconic hotel with a large city footprint, and we’re excited to give people in the locality a quality venue,” he said.

“It has really good positioning in the sense that the area is not serviced as well as it used to be due to the closure and repurposing of some of the other nearby hotels – that creates demand.

“The property has been partially renovated over recent years, however we’re looking to complete a significant redevelopment in 2022, which embraces a contemporary concept that we believe will be unique to the CBD.”

MAPPED AND PROFILED: WHO OWNS SA’S PUBS?

The pub’s balcony was recently restored by the previous owner of the property – the family of former Adelaide United defender Ersan Gulum.

Duxton Pups was formed last year and now has eight venues in its portfolio, including the The Lion Hotel in North Adelaide, the Old Noarlunga Hotel and the Woolshed Inn in Bordertown.

On Monday, it will reopen the Cremorne Hotel in Unley after spending more than $1m on revamps to the dining area, main bar and beer garden.

Mike Coffey and Grace Kelliher at the revamped Cremorne Hotel, which will reopen on Monday. Picture: Tom Huntley

Mr Matthews said The Brompton and Bushman’s Arms would also undergo upgrades, while the group was considering a major investment in the Royal Oak to make it a “destination” regional hotel.

“Depending on the outcomes of modelling and feasibility, we’re looking to create a destination regional hotel based on a premium food, beverage and accommodation offering,” he said.

“We’re looking to work with local wineries and producers to offer the best of the Coonawarra. We think it will be attractive to the locals but also become a tourist destination.”

Mr Matthews said while the group’s venues continued to trade well amid the uncertainty of Covid-19, a further easing of restrictions was “critical” for the industry.

“Naturally we would love to see more relaxation, but we understand the need to be conservative at the moment, particularly given what’s happening in Victoria and NSW,” he said.

Duxton Pubs is considering a major upgrade of the Royal Oak Hotel in Penola.

“We would like to get back to 75 per cent as quickly as possible in the absence of 100 per cent. We have proven we can manage venues safely and be sustainable at 75 per cent.”

Reflecting the group’s confidence in regional areas, Duxton has also acquired the freehold interests in the Ventnor Hotel in Port Vincent and the Meadows Hotel in the Adelaide Hills.

Further acquisitions are on the cards, both in the city and regional areas.

“We are particularly bullish on larger footprint suburban venues and the Yorke Peninsula. The sweet spot is being less than 2.5 hours out of Adelaide,” Mr Matthews said.