Why Sydney publican won’t completely renovate his venues

A Sydney publican with an estimated $100m worth of pubs has revealed why he refuses to completely renovate.

Pub owner Ray Reilly is keen to maintain the old school pub feel.

Meet the man who has made a living saving Sydney’s old school pubs.

At 18-years-old, Irishman Ray Reilly came to Australia as a backpacker and started pouring beers in pubs. Today, he owns seven pubs across Sydney with an estimated value of over $100m.

But rather than come in and completely renovate the pub, Reilly restores them to their former glory.

“We’ve never gone in and done a four or five million dollar renovation, because I could never afford it. But that’s worked out well for us,” Reilly told The Daily Telegraph. “What we do is unique.”

It comes at a time when a host of Sydney pubs have been bought by big hospitality groups or investors, many of which completely transform the pub and at times, rob it off it’s old school soul.

Ray Reilly came to Australia as an Irish backpacker. Picture: Richard Dobson.

The Henson Hotel in Marrickville

The White Cockatoo Hotel in Petersham

The Sydney Park Hotel in Newtown

Ray Reilly at The Henson Hotel in Marrickville.

The Henson in Marrickville was one such example. This hotel was due for redevelopment, but Reilly took the reins in 2013 with the aim of reviving the hotel’s art deco aesthetic.

“The bones of the pub is key. We love character. That cannot be replaced,” he said.

Reilly owns venues like The White Cockatoo in Petersham, Sydney Park Hotel in Newtown and The Henson in Marrickville. He said while there is a market for completely refurbished pubs, the Reilly Group aim is to reinvigorating hotels to their former glory and give back to the people for whom a great pub is so vital.

Charcter.... the Carlisle Castle Hotel in Newtown

Old style.... the Shakespeare Hotel

“Without a customer, you’ve got nobody,” he said. “And personnel in the pub is vital. You can have a shit, broken down pub in the arse of nowhere, but if you’ve got friendly people that’s what make it. It gives customer a sense of belonging and next thing you’ve got a community.”

It comes as one of Reilly’s colleagues Laurence Collins who currently own and operate the leasehold of The London Hotel in Balmain, became owners of The Shakespeare Hotel. It’s the first time in 50-years this pub, near Central Station, was up for sale and Collins said he was “not intending to change the overall fabric of the hotel, as that is what makes it special.”

SYDNEY PUBS WITH CHARACTER

Carlisle Castle Hotel, Newtown: Still has old school front bar.

Huntsbury Hotel Petersham: Old school pub with pool tables, and no kitchen.

Golden Barley Hotel, Enmore: Art Deco style pub which always has the footy on.

Botany View Hotel Newtown: A favourite for bands.