Publican Mornington to be revamped and open for summer

A Mornington hotel that has been closed for 12 months has a new owner and a bright future.

Publican is one of several pubs on the Chapel Street of Mornington – Main Street.

It’s been more than a year between drinks at a popular Mornington pub.

Publican, formerly known as The Bay Hotel, closed at the start of the first lockdown in 2020 and never reopened.

However, the leasehold on the two storey Italian Renaissance style building has just been bought by an experienced operator who has successful venues in St Kilda and Melbourne.

Russell Murphy Real Estate sealed the deal on Thursday, two weeks after the board went up at 62 Main Street.

“It was a strong campaign with lost of interest from local and Melbourne-based buyers,” Mr Murphy said.

“There was also a Queensland buyer interested but lockdown made it too difficult for them to get here and see the property in person.”

Mr Murphy said the buyer wanted to stay anonymous for now and did not want to reveal the sale price

But he did reveal that the buyer planned a significant refurbishment of the pub.

“The buyer knows the region but until now did have a commercial interest here,” Mr Murphy said.

“They are very experienced and successful with pubs and will take this venue to the next level.”

He said the new operator hoped to reopen the pub in time for summer 2021.

The Bay Hotel freehold was sold in 2016 for $6.1 million.

Mr Murphy was also involved in that sale.

“It was an investment for a Balwyn couple,” he said.

“They still own the freehold. This latest transaction was the lease changing hands.”

The pub was renamed Publican and an Asian-fusion restaurant opened inside called Mrs Banks in a nod to the building’s former life as a bank in the 1890s.

A nightclub was opened upstairs and quickly became popular with young revellers.