Pub industry identity ‘Ned’ Kelly is growing his footprint in the Mudgee food bowl, picking up the stately Globe Hotel in Rylstone.
The Globe came to market late 2019, offering a diverse business led by popular restaurant The Shed, alongside a neat public bar, TAB, small gaming room and 14 well-appointed accommodation rooms.
It was first established in 1855, and occupies a sprawling 6,658sqm block on the main road through town. Rylstone is a heritage town on the western side of the Blue Mountains, about 40 kilometres east of Mudgee.
Since leaving the city smoke Kelly has taken to the country life, acquiring his re-named Kelly’s Irish Pub in Mudgee, and Old Bar Tavern in the mid-north coast.
He says this new acquisition brings opportunity to further leverage his place in the region.
“I just love the area, and the Globe’s got a wonderful village feel to it.”
Kelly & Co took over mid-January and Ned’s wife Helena will be licensee. The pair bring significant plans for the new asset, capitalising on the strengths and attractions of the area. The manager’s residence will join the available accommodation, reconfigured up to 22 rooms, with thoughts of the addition of cabins on surplus land in the future.
The pub will see a greater presence of live music, typically solo artists, bringing an “understated country” vibe to the establishment.
And next month will see the inaugural Rylstone Cowboy mini country music festival.
There will also be regional day tours from the Globe, taking in Rylstone’s successful wineries and iconic olive press, and surprisingly famous and authentic Yum Cha in town. Guests will be transported using the pub’s own version of a courtesy bus – a 1988 LTD limousine.
But business will centre around its already legendary foodservice, with Kelly predicting plenty of paddock-to-plate on the way.
“We want to really focus on local produce; Rylstone’s great wineries, olive oil and farms, rounding out with some Mudgee wines.
“The previous owners left the pub in a great state, and we’re going to continue that.”
Hinting there could be further acquisitions in the works, Kelly says if the right country pub comes up, he’ll “grab it”.
“I cut my teeth in these sorts of pubs, in Bowral. The Globe really reminds me of growing up in the southern highlands.”
The Globe freehold going concern was marketed and sold through CBRE Hotels’ Kate MacDonald and Ben McDonald.
“Regional hotel opportunities continue to shine in the marketplace as the growth in demand surges at a time when stock levels remain tight.”
