The Beresfield Tavern and Bottle Barn have come to market, as accidental publican Craig Herbert looks to a return to his former love.
Beresfield is a Lower Hunter Region town of over 3,000 people, roughly 23 kilometres north-west of Newcastle, midway to Maitland.
Back in 2010 Herbert considered the bottleshop, his prior experience managing off-premise outlets recognising its potential. Despite having never worked pubs before, with a little help from an old boss he took on the Tavern and retail premise.
Commuting from Newcastle, within the first year he refurbished the bar, then installed the venue’s first ever kitchen, prompting the pub business to “take on a life of its own”.
“It sort of took off,” says Herbert. “I thought ‘this is getting different’. It was a steep learning curve at the start.”
Built on a sizeable 1,770sqm corner block with ample onsite parking, the joint businesses include a bar area with pool tables and TAB VBT, kitchen and dining area, lounge, courtyard and beer garden, the Bottle Barn and coolroom, plus an office and large storage area.
Marketing literature reports average weekly turnover (FY20) of almost $60k (ex-GST), mostly coming from bar (16pc), bistro (12pc) and the bottleshop (68pc).
After more than a decade, Herbert feels the time has come to move on, and return to his passion pushing off-premise.
“I’ve taken the place as far as I can … it’s time to chase a few other interests.
“I’ve had a good time, met lots of good people and made some good friends while I’ve been here, and I think those friendships will continue. The patrons are really good in the area.
“It’s been a lot of hard work, but I’ve enjoyed myself.”
The freehold going concern businesses are being sold via Private Treaty through Manenti Quinlan’s Peter Manenti and Leonard Bongiovanni.
“The Beresfield Tavern & Bottle Barn presents well and is an excellent business that could be taken to another level,” suggests Manenti.
“It has all the required facilities, with room for expansion, for a keen operator.”
