Australian Leisure & Hospitality (ALH) has charged into acquisition mode, taking the keys to the long-serving McDonald family’s Brisbane beachside landmark, the Manly Hotel.
The two-storey brick pub on the corner of Cambridge Parade and Stratton Terrace, just a block from Manly Boat Harbour, first opened in 1955.
Stewart and Dulcie McDonald took over the leasehold operation in 1970. Their kids Jenny, Doug and Sandy followed them into the game, eventually taking over the job.
Sandy has become a stalwart of the Queensland pub scene, awarded Hotelier of the Year by the QHA in 2013 and inducted as a life member in 2016.
The family also operate the Manly Marina Cove Hotel and have other business interests, and celebrating 51 years at the Manly Hotel in March, started thinking about an exit last year, when the landlord bought back the 40 gaming machine entitlements. The current lease ends at the end of September.
Sandy told The Courier the pub has played a huge part in the family’s lives.
“We’ve invested a lot of time and effort into the hotel and in the community through the hotel and we’ve been able to do some absolutely amazing things here … but now it’s just time to focus on some other things.”
The recently ASX-listed Endeavour Group (ASX:EDG) incorporates retail liquor stores BWS and Dan Murphy’s, and ALH’s 332+ pubs.
ALH will take on a new 50-year premium-free lease of the Hotel under condition of considerable capex. The OLGR website does not yet reference the new lease, but ALH will likely gain the necessary permissions to take on the pub in coming months.
Manly Harbour Village President David Farley says the deal is good news for the precinct.
“A great outcome for the Manly Harbour Village and the bayside.”
