Harvest Hotels has today reopened one of Tamworth’s oldest and most beloved pubs, the Courthouse Hotel, following an extensive renovation and reinvention.
Built circa 1876, the pub was closed in June last year to undergo a full-scale transformation, encompassing everything from the building structure and fit-out to menus and entertainment, to ensure its future ability and capacity to cater to a wider variety of patrons.
Major aspects of the refurbishment included restoration of the heritage-listed façade, overhaul and extension of the bistro, now boasting both indoor and outdoor dining spaces and new kitchen with coal and woodfire grill, greater outdoor spaces, bringing a courtyard and dedicated function areas, a renovated sports bar and public bar area with impressive new TAB, and a dedicated family and kids’ zone with soft play equipment.
Tamworth is in the New England region of New South Wales, roughly midway between Brisbane and Sydney. It is home to over 40,000 residents and the annual, internationally popular Tamworth Country Music Festival.
The city is also a stronghold for Harvest Hotels, steered by Chris Cornforth and Fraser Haughton, which also holds the Pig & Tinder Box pub and until recently the Albert Hotel Tamworth. Displaced Courthouse Hotel staff were offered employment at the other pubs during the renovation.
The directors “guarantee you’ll be wowed” by the transformation at the Courthouse, and believe the revived venue will bring social and economic benefits to the local community along with at least 40 hospitality jobs.
“It’s been a long time coming, and we can’t wait to finally welcome people back through the doors of The Courthouse,” says Haughton.
“Right from the very beginning, our intention was to create a pub that was welcoming and appealing to everyone in Tamworth.”
In February the pair sold their 20-year lease on the nearby Albert Hotel to an unnamed buyer, and continued their practise of offering any staff looking for employment positions at The Pig or soon-to-reopen Courthouse Hotel.
Now back in business but under COVID-19 restrictions, the directors say they are very aware of the “ever-changing circumstances” around operation requirements and have implemented all required and necessary measures to protect patrons and staff.
“Harvest Hotels’ priority and first preference has always been to provide opportunities for the local communities in which we operate, and we encourage anyone in the Tamworth region who is looking for work within the local hospitality industry to get in touch at any time.”
