Inner west legend Ray Reilly has done a deal to divest his ‘ray of sunshine’ The Henson, passing his beloved baton to long-time cohort Ged Dore as part of a new partnership.
The pub, previously known as the Henson Park Hotel, is a classic two-storey red brick working man’s pub established in the 1860s. Circa 2012 it was de-licensed following a protracted battle with council over its viability as a pub, with the licence eventually moved to another premise.
Reilly bought the freehold property in 2013 and began its revival under a primary service licence, building its reputation amongst Sydney’s increasingly gentrified inner western ‘burbs, his flare as a publican moulding a popular local day and night venue and earning the right to install a hotel licence again.
The Irish former backpacker divested his long-held Trinity Bay in Surry Hills in 2016 to Peter Calligeros, and went on to buy the Sydney Park Hotel and in 2017 the White Cockatoo, creating a trio portfolio of complementary suburban locals in the area.
Late 2019 Reilly began thinking about parting with his hard-fought Henson. After deliberating for a time, the COVID-19 whirlwind took hold and everything shut and the world turned upside down.
“A crisis like this makes you realise what’s important to you,” says Reilly.
“I was thinking about selling the freehold. I would have taken a bit from it and gone again, but instead what I’ve done is a deal with Ged, sold him the business, and I’m going to stay as landlord.”
Mates for over 20 years, Reilly and Dore had recently begun entertaining the idea of combining forces to give their posse of pubs greater buying power.
After a career spent building up pubs for other owners and having re-secured ownership of his Salisbury Hotel in late 2018, Dore was looking to expand further and recently signed a deal on the former Sly Fox, which closed earlier this year. This will soon reopen, to be known again by its former moniker, the Enmore Hotel.
Conversely, Reilly is looking to shift his role in the industry a little further toward the business side, and recognised the opportunity to remain connected to his pride and joy.
“All businesses will become stronger and even more resilient after surviving COVID-19,” he says. “We both see collaboration as key to our future in the industry.
“It worked out for me, worked out for him, and I’m really happy. We’ve done it in two weeks; one of the fastest deals around in the worst climate possible.”
The five pubs share a good deal of commonality, all built pre-1900 and located in strong inner west suburbs, all offering the full gamut of food and bev and accommodation. All offer a tailored mix of independent craft brewers plus a good splash of CUB beers.
Sitting down to consider consolidation the men found they had even more in common on paper than they realised, with their approaches, including ongoing support of local sporting teams, far more aligned than their individual personalities might imply.
Reilly says “the tinker and the country cowboy” look set to make a strong outfit in the precinct.
“At the end of the day we will both always share the love of a pint and the passion to not just enjoy but thrive in what you do for a living.”
Dore echoes their union has been formed over too many beers, arguments, laughs and bar stories to count, which he says helped “keep the fires burning” on the job, but he was as shocked as anyone when Ray offered him the Henson.
“I said I don’t want to take the Chicago Bulls after MJ leaves … but if MJ stays as a coach I might.
“It seemed the more we drilled down, and everything we looked at, our principles were very much aligned, and the style of pubs we wanted and the community support … we both know how to make them work.”
Exchanging yesterday, consolidating a handshake deal, Dore will take over at the Henson from 1 October on a four by five-year lease. Reilly has first option on reclaiming the operation, with an eye to his sons Jimmy and Frankie possibly taking it over again one day.
“He never wanted to feel the Henson’s been taken off him,” adds Dore. “It feels a bit like I’m taking his ex-girlfriend! But he can’t say nasty things about me or he’ll have no-one to pay the rent.”
“not as easy as it looks lad”… all the best to the future Ray