Calls to upgrade Townsville’s ageing Upper Ross Hotel
One of Townsville’s suburbs is bustling with construction activity but their local pub needs some TLC according to locals.
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AS Rasmussen experiences a revitalisation courtesy of infrastructure upgrades, there are growing calls for the owners of the ageing Upper Ross Hotel to give it a makeover.
After 18 years of knocking back coldies at the Upper Ross Hotel, Kelso resident Robert Mills said it was time the pub’s owners – ALH Group and Woolworths – updated the building to move it with the times.
“The place needs a revamp for sure. We’ve been coming here a long time and it’s a bit old and stale,” Mr Mills said.
“Anything newer than this would be great.”
Once other nearby construction projects were completed, he expected the area to be “beautiful”, saying it was crying out for a modern hotel to be established.
Mr Mills’ views echoed those of Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper who suggested last month that it was high time the Upper Ross Hotel was upgraded to capitalise on the development activity in the area.
He pointed to the progress of Stage 2 of Riverway Plaza moving ahead after bringing a range of new shops, the nearly complete KFC and the completion of Stage 1 of the Riverway Drive duplication.
“Who agrees that we need the ALH Group & Woolworths (who own the tired old Ross Pub) to make a similar investment into our community and deliver a modern family friendly (Avenues like Hotel) for the Upper Ross?” Mr Harper asked on social media.
“I call on this multibillion-dollar company to upgrade the old pub.”
ALH/Woolworths spent $12 million purchasing the Riverway Drive property in 2015.
ALH Group Head of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs David Curry said they had an operating lease for the hotel.
“I note the current hotel whilst dated is still very well maintained notwithstanding we are aware of the exciting developments nearby and are looking forward to updating the current offer as soon as possible,” Mr Curry said.
Originally published as Calls to upgrade Townsville’s ageing Upper Ross Hotel
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