Terry Watt to sell Gippsland pub, Avon Hotel, in Stratford through auction

A farmer owned pub in East Gippsland is back on the market after it sold in 2019 — this time for almost double the price.

A pub in East Gippsland is back on the market after it was purchased by a farmer in 2019.

Avon Hotel at Stratford, owned by Terry Watt, has been listed for sale with a reserve price of $1.5m.

Mr Watt purchased the pub three years ago for $825,000.

At the time, Avon Hotel - which first opened its door’s in 1970 - was rundown, worn out and was a shell of the thriving pub it could be.

But it has since had a major revamp.

Mr Watt said he purchased the hotel because he wanted to give the town a lively pub once again.

“The hotel was rundown and the community were in need of their pub,” Mr Watt said.

“I had owned a pub in the Omeo region for about six years and so I wanted to get this one up and running again so there was somewhere for people to go.

The Avon Hotel

“We have done a lot to it.

“In the last couple of years we have fully renovated the interior, upgraded the furniture, upgraded the kitchen and given the place general upgrades as well.”

In the past two years, Covid-19 restrictions have made business challenging, but Mr Watt said the business and the community have adapted.

“So far we have had turnover that is strong, around $1.1m, which is very good for a pub in a small town that has gone through so much with Covid,” Mr Watt said.

“We adapted to whatever was needed.

“During some restrictions we ran takeaway meals and had the bottle shop open. It wasn’t ideal but we were capable of paying the bills and loans.”

But after three years in charge, Mr Watt wanted to take a step back and focus on his other business ventures.

The Avon Hotel

“The market is right at the moment, it is the time to sell,” he said.

“I’d like to see a family-orientated owner come in and take over the hotel.

“Families like coming for meals and birthday parties and so I’d like to see it as a space for adults and for children.

“It is also important that it is a space for sporting teams and community clubs. You’ve got to diversify to be involved in the community.”

The Avon Hotel will go to auction on Friday, March 11 at 12pm on site.

The pub is set on 2530 sqm of commercially zoned land, which includes seven motel rooms, a 50 patron public bar, 60 patron dining room, 60 patron external deck and 30 patron smoking area.

Earlier in 2021, one of Victoria’s oldest pubs was purchased for $1.7m by a Western Districts farming family.