Sawyers Arms Tavern Newtown changing hands from Clatworthys to former Lorne Hotel owner John Upham

New partners are prearing to take over a famous Geelong tavern as its longtime publican family honour their 60 year tenure.

One of Geelong’s oldest publican families has decided to hang up their aprons, with the Sawyers Arms Tavern – or Clat’s Pub – changing hands after more than 60 years.

The Newtown pub, which has been run by the Clatworthy family since 1958, is understood to have been snapped up by former Lorne Hotel owner John Upham.

The Sawyers Arms Tavern at the bottom of Noble St in the early 1970s.

Peter Clatworthy took to social media this week to announce the move, in an emotional message to friends and patrons.

“Thank you,” Mr Clatworthy wrote.

“After 64 years the Clatworthy chapter at the Sawyers Arms Tavern is coming to an end. It has been my biggest honour to meet and serve so many wonderful people.”

The original Sawyers Arms Hotel in the mid-1800s.

“Hospitality brings people together, and it has been incredible to share these moments with you. Thank you to generations of genuine, terrific staff who have facilitated these great memories at the Sawyers Arms Tavern.

“Thank you for you loyalty, your enriching conversations and for dining with us. It is time to enjoy a beer.”

Mrs Clat in the bar of the Sawyers Arms in the 1980s.

Mr Clatworthy also acknowledged the impact his family had on the popular pub and it’s local community.

“I would especially like to acknowledge my grandparents Eileen and Ken, who started the business, followed by my father, John and my Aunties,” he wrote.

“My dear brother Matt was an integral part of the success of the hotel and it was a privilege to work along side him each day, as well as my beautiful children Fraser, Lily and Hugo.”

Sawyers Arms Tavern in Newtown. Peter and Matt Clatworthy inside the Tavern in 2017. Picture: Ian Currie

“To my wife Lou, your incredible and tireless work behind the scenes made this pub feel like a home to everyone who has entered through the door.”

The original Sawyers Arms Hotel was built in 1850 for timber merchant John Jackson, and later rebuilt in 1907 with further alterations in 1924 and 1950.

The Clatworthy family first took the keys to the Noble St pub in 1958, taking over from previous owner – and former Geelong Football Club president – Jack Jennings.

The family soon reverted the pub back to its original name from Jennings’ Kardinia Park Hotel – but it would eventually become known as Clat’s Pub following the family’s popularity with the community.

Peter Clatworthy’s grandmother Eileen and her husband Ken had taken over the pub in 1958, with Mrs Clat soon becoming a local celebrity in Newtown.

Originally published as Sawyers Arms Tavern Newtown changing hands from Clatworthys to former Lorne Hotel owner John Upham