Balmoral community ‘missing’ its historic pub, Western Hotel

A 140-year-old pub sitting vacant in the state’s west is ready for a new owner to revive its legacy after its doors closed last month and are yet to reopen.

A small western Victorian town is without its only pub after the doors of its beloved watering hole were closed last month and are yet to reopen.

The historic 140-year-old Western Hotel in Balmoral, about 65km north of Hamilton in the state’s Western District, is currently quiet and vacant after previous management ceased operations last month.

Publicans Shae Carter and Andrew Doidge had been running the venue before it was closed in late May.

Western Hotel owner and landlord Richard Brown, who managed the hotel between 1989 to 2000, said the closure had been felt in the Balmoral community.

“We need this pub, the town is very upset without it,” he said.

“It has been a cornerstone of the Balmoral community for over 140 years, and you can feel the community are missing it.”

Mr Brown said he was willing to sell the freehold Western Hotel as a walk-in walk-out offering or a long-term lease could be arranged.

The Western Hotel in Balmoral remains closed after previous management ceased operations in May.

“This is not just a business opportunity; it’s a chance to become an integral part of the Balmoral community and preserve a piece of local heritage,” Mr Brown said.

“It would be an excellent hotel for a vibrant couple who are community-minded.”

The Western Hotel, which underwent significant renovations and reconstruction in the 1960s, has eight bedrooms for hire, a drive-through bottle shop, a bar that can accommodate 120 patrons, and a dining room with seating for 80.

Located in what is considered traditional prime Merino wool country, the pub is also west of the Rocklands Reservoir, known for Murray cod, Golden Perch, and Redfin fishing in the summer and trout fishing in the winter.

Also in Victoria’s west, the grand Leura Hotel at Camperdown, is on the market after changing hands in recent years, priced at $3.5 million, with the business priced at $350,000.