The Leichhardt Hotel: Complaints of rubbish and rats as building left abandoned

The former pride of Sydney’s alternative arts scene has become an abandoned mess as local businesses call for action on the rubbish and rats. Here’s the latest.

The former mecca of Sydney’s alternative live arts scene has allegedly become a home for drug users, homelessness and “dozens of rats”.

However, the owners have confirmed that planning is underway for the future of the former waterhole.

The Leichhardt Hotel was a cultural hub for more than 100 years, hosting famous Australian groups such as punk band The Saints and becoming the gathering point for Dykes on Bikes to join the mardi gras.

In 2014, due to financial stress, the iconic venue shut its doors and has since become an abandoned eyesore to the community.

Businesses located near the venue on Norton St have recently reported their concerns to council on the building’s dilapidated and “visually offensive state” with the front facade being left “filthy, strewn with rubbish” and covered in graffiti.

According to council documents, locals have also reported people hiding behind the front area taking drugs, smoking and there are signs people have been living in the building.

Current photos of abandon hotel in Inner West

An operations worker at the Italian Association of Assistance – adjacent to the venue – said they had noticed more homelessness than usual recently but only complained after seeing dozens of rodents near the site.

“There has been a lot of rubbish piling up but it wasn’t till we saw a lot of rats throughout that building that we said something forward to Inner West,” Robinson, who didn’t wish to give his surname, said.

Current photos of abandon hotel in Inner West.

Council documents state that since the complaints, officers had cleaned up the front of the building with councillors seeking a potential mural to commemorate its past as an arts and culture venue.

Owner of neighbouring business Shorties Children's Store, Celia Morris, said a memorial would be a welcome change for the building that had been “getting worse and worse”.

“We have seen people hiding there or going around the side of it to smoke,” she said

“It had been closed for a while and it got really bad at a point.

The Leichhardt Hotel before closure.

Inside of The Leichhardt Hotel.

“We are very happy to see that there are now developments to the building, they’ve cleaned it up and started construction on it and will fit this wonderful area once again.”

Venue owner Blairgrove Pty Ltd employee Gina Laros said the company had begun cleaning the building and were in talks with council over the future of the venue.

“It’s in the very early stages of our discussions with council and they are on board with some of our ideas such as reinvigorating the hotel,” she said.

“Right now we are just in the process of cleaning it up and that has already begun.”

Inner West Council was contacted for comment.