The beating heart of Bendigo hospitality has bid a sad but memorable farewell at the White Horse Hotel, as long-time owners Brad and Sheridan Warren reluctantly succumb to the pressures of family illness.
Located on Eaglehawk Road in the city’s California Gully, the White Horse has been the work of the Warrens, parents to Elijah and Sienna, for a decade and a half.
Under their guidance the pub won Best Parma three years in a row and was praised for its efforts during the pandemic. It has built a name as one of Bendigo’s safest family pubs, rarely seeing any violence.
But for the past 12 months Sienna has been in and out of Melbourne’s Royal Childrens’ Hospital, battling inflammatory bowel condition Chron’s disease.
It has taken its toll on the family-run business, requiring extended periods of separation and Brad and Sheridan even forced to close the pub many times in the last year to get their daughter to hospital.
And so, they made the sad decision to leave the establishment they’ve come to love, to spend more time caring for their sick daughter.
Last week they posted to social media that after “14 years, 4 months and 12 days” it was “time for us to say goodbye” and they would be celebrating with last drinks on the weekend.
“We are so proud of what we were able to achieve during this time. It certainly has been a Blast!
“We have had such amazing support from our families, friends and by you, our amazing customers! You are what made the Whitehorse what it is and we can’t thank you enough.”
