‘More than just a building’: Lexton residents rally in bid to buy Pyrenees Hotel

Lexton residents met at the weekend to discuss the potential purchase and shared ownership of their local “bush pub” to save it from extended closure.

Pub-goers outside the Pyrenees Hotel in Lexton. Photo: James Braszell

Residents of a regional town have met to try to buy back their one and only pub after the “treasured” venue’s recent shuttering.

The Pyrenees Hotel in Lexton, southwest of Ballarat, closed for what is believed to be the first time since 1859 this month, excluding forced Covid closures.

It is Lexton’s only pub and a “much-loved” watering hole for shearers, farmers, and anybody else who comes through the town of fewer than 300 people.

The Pyrenees Hotel in Lexton. Photo: James Braszell

Local shearer and photographer James Braszell attended the pub for “bittersweet last beers” on January 13.

He said the hotel was the heart of Lexton and the perfect place for a drink and chat after a hard day’s work.

“It’s just a shame because it’s a meeting place in town for the local shearers and farmers and who else is in the district,” Mr Braszell said.

“It’s a good outlet for locals for their mental health because there’s a lot of people out here who can do it tough on the farms and on land.

“Country pubs are important because generally the footy club follows [their loss] and the cricket club and the town generally goes downhill after that.”

The pub does not appear to be officially on the market, but interested residents met at the Lexton Community Hall on February 4 to gauge interest in purchasing the property.

They aim to have ownership of the pub spread across several people to ensure it remains open.

A survey was distributed at the meeting asking attendees how much they might like to invest, what return they would thereby expect, and how they would like to be involved, if at all, in a steering committee.

“Unfortunately with the pub closing its doors last night for the foreseeable future, it’s a timely reminder that ownership of country pubs should remain in the hands of country people,” Mr Braszell wrote online.

He said a “bush pub” was “much more than just a building or a financial investment”.

“May she open her doors again soon,” Mr Braszell said of the Pyrenees.

The pub owner has been contacted for comment.