Multi-generational owners have sent to market the historic Peel Inn Hotel, in gold country, more than a century and a half after lady luck passed it to them.
Occupying a central village site of 2,128sqm, the Inn was built in 1860 by William McIlveen and remains the only pub in the picturesque town of Nundle, outside of Tamworth, in NSW’s New England region.
The classic two-storey hotel holds dual street exposure, fronting Jenkins Street – aka Fossickers Way – offering a public bar, commercial kitchen and bistro, gaming room with three machines, a distinctive grapevine-covered beer garden and 12 upstairs guest rooms.
At the time of its creation, the region was abuzz with gold being found at nearby Hanging Rock. Speculators were prone to high-stakes gambling in the pub and it’s rumoured that McIlveen lost the hotel in a poker bet to John Schofield. As the story goes, McIlveen packed up and left town with his family the next day.
The Peel was subsequently run by the Schofields for decades, then generations. John’s great-grandson Robert manned the bar for more than half a century.
It has earned a legacy attracting patrons beyond locals, benefitting from tourism and destination dining, as well as a steady demand for accommodation and a calendar of community events.
In 2022 it was awarded AHA NSW Best Bush Pub.
Nundle lies between the Peel River and the Great Dividing Range. The historic gold-mining town is an established day-trip and overnight destination supported by heritage, outdoor recreation, events and touring routes, but is also gearing for the future, looking to renewable energy and infrastructure proposals nearby and council plans for better recreational and visitor assets in the area.
Located less than an hour from the thriving hub of Tamworth, Nundle captures significant spillover from the internationally renowned Tamworth Country Music Festival.
For FY26 the Inn reports $2.78 million in revenue, with 48 per cent generated over the bar and more than a third through dining, for EBITDA totalling $504k (18pc).
After more than 60 years behind the bar Robert Schofield is retiring, passing the pub further down the line, to his children, who see the rising investor demand and have listed it for the first time in its 165 years.
On behalf of his family, Drew Schofield says it has been a privilege to be part of a pub that means so much to the Nundle community.
“It’s an amazing town with wonderful people who have supported us for many years, and we’re incredibly proud of what the Peel has become.
“The time is right for someone new to come in, pick up where we’re leaving off and take the pub into its next chapter. I know the Nundle community will get behind the incoming owners.”
Opportunity is seen for an incoming operator in the possible introduction of functions and events and optimisation of the accommodation and underutilised areas.
“It’s the type of asset that could really suit a smaller group looking to expand its footprint, or an owner-operator who wants to get amongst the locals, become part of the Nundle community and take the business to its next level,” suggests Savills’ Michael Broome.
A former publican, Broome has joined Savills and is managing the Peel Inn sale through a Private Treaty campaign with colleagues Drew Mitchell and Hugo Weston.
No official price guidance has been provided, but sources expect it will fetch circa $5 million.
“Opportunities to acquire a genuine freehold going concern like this, with such a strong history and connection to its town, don’t come along very often,” concluded Broome.
