Norman Hotel owner James Power says local pubs still have an edge

After the toughest of years, the owner of one of Brisbane’s historic pubs says he is seeing “very strong” trade returning to the family-owned venue.

While the wave of cashed-up southern-based groups making their presence felt in the Brisbane pub and bar scene is expected to continue next year, James Power believes there will always be room for family run hotels.

After negotiating the hospitality sectors toughest year the Norman Hotel proprietor said local family-owned pubs were “always innovating”.

“That’s the strength that the private operator brings,” said Mr Power who offered a takeaway barbecue pack for customers during the COVID lockdown.

It is estimated that up to 70 per cent of pubs and bars in Brisbane are run by interstate-based groups and individuals led by hospitality giants ALH and Australian Venue Co operating some of the Queensland capital’s best known and loved pubs.

With interest rates at all time lows groups squeezed out of Sydney and Melbourne will continue to be attracted to Brisbane.

Mr Power said the major chains were very strong in their gaming and retail liquor offering.

“That’s an area where the majors really excel which is a formula and to their great credit they’re very good creating a successful formula and rolling it out across a range of venues,” he said.

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“Where they are less successful — and I imagine they would be the first to admit this — is the food and beverage side of things in terms of offering a more sophisticated or niche product that appeals to a particular segment of the market or geographic location.”

With COVID impacting on the sector there were only a few changes of pub and bar/restaurant ownership in 2020 but plenty of closures — including the NSW-based Riversdale Group shutting the Stock Exchange Hotel in the CBD.

Mr Power said the Norman in Woolloongabba — which claims to have Brisbane’s worst vegetarian restaurant — was currently trading at three-quarter capacity.

“Trade has bounced back very strongly,” he said.

Norman Hotel licensee James Power inside the pubs renown steakhouse. Picture: David Clark

“We always maintained an active presence on social media and in general throughout the year which helped keep our brand alive.

“We were adaptable and able to innovate quickly. We could make decisions on the spot and in a very fluid environment at the height of COVID that’s the strength of a private family business.”