Tom Hedley purchases Innisfail riverfront Imperial Tavern

A leading Far North pub and property baron has added to his expanding portfolio with the recent purchase of an iconic riverfront tavern.

A LEADING Far North pub and property baron has added to his expanding portfolio with the recent purchase of an iconic riverfront tavern.

Cairns developer Tom Hedley, one of the city’s most prolific developers has continued his regional reach with the recent acquisition of the Imperial Tavern, on Innisfail’s Fitzgerald Esplanade and its accompanying bottle shop.

The town’s most modern pub before it closed in 2018 was the go-to venue for “kick-ons” after any major event in Innisfail, but also the ideal spot for a weekend lunch by the riverfront. It was also popular among Innisfail’s boating and trawler community and was one of the very few to offer alfresco dining.

Known by locals as the “The Impy”, its closure followed the end of operations for neighbouring business The Coffee Club – leaving just the local RSL as the town’s only waterfront hospitality venue for a number of eerily quiet years, particularly the weekends.

Although the The Coffee Club was replaced by Riverfront Cafe in June 2020, The Impy’s roller doors remained closed until Mr Hedley recently began interior refurbishments.

As for an official reopening date and Mr Hedley’s plans – so far he’s remained tight-lipped.

But his presence in town hasn’t gone unnoticed, with an obvious buzz around the watering hole’s revival.

Tom Hedley is investing in Innisfail with the purchase of the Imperial Tavern. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Division 5 councillor Nick Pervan said he was excited to see the pub reopening, after fielding years of questions about its future.

“It would be a weekly conversation to be honest – ‘have you heard what’s happening with The Impy’,” Cr Pervan said.

“Even when it was shut, it was the talk of the town, everybody would say ‘I wish something would happen with it’.

“I think most people in town do understand who Tom Hedley is and that’s why they’re excited. I just hope he can find more ways to invest in the town because his purchase will create a lot of business confidence.”

The reopening of the Imperial Tavern is part of the town’s waterfront revival with a number of new businesses opening and set to open nearby.

And the revival of Innisfail’s waterfront is set to grow stronger with the first venue of the Cane Cutter hotel, formerly known as the Riverside Tavern, expected to open soon.

The Cane Cutter sat vacant for 15 years before it was purchased by Victorian investor Frank Billingsley in 2019, with plans of converting its space into a multi-lease commercial hub to attract multiple businesses inside the one building.

Already contributing to the town’s Esplanade area is wood-fired pizza venture – Alberts – which opened on Edith St in April last year, at the town’s Cane Cutter Court, one block from the waterfront.

Originally published as Tom Hedley purchases Innisfail riverfront Imperial Tavern