Prominent Hunter Valley developer and businessman Manuel Fernandes has listed a triple-play of pubs in the region, recognising their better fit with a hands-on operator.
Fernandes operates a construction company, and was previously the owner of Dubbo’s Macquarie Hotel. Following its windfall sale, he set about expanding his pub portfolio, which included purchasing Scone’s Willow Tree Hotel, the Valley Hotel in Muswellbrook about 20 minutes south, and the Jerrys Plains Tavern, another 30 minutes south.
The Willow Tree is a classic tile-front two-storey brick building occupying 1,556 m² on main road Kelly St, in the commercial precinct. It incorporates a public bar, TAB, gaming room with six PMEs, large beer garden and outdoor bar, commercial kitchen leased to a thriving Thai restaurant, well-appointed accommodation rooms, and a two-bedroom manager’s residence.
The Valley Hotel Motel is a handsome pub in the heart of Muswellbrook, also two-storey brick and occupying 3,357 m² at the junction of main roads through town Sydney and Maitland Streets. It features a public bar, gaming room with six PMEs, seven motel rooms with ensuites, nine pub-style accommodation rooms, beer garden, commercial kitchen, and function space. It boasts a 24-hour licence in the strong coal mining and agricultural town and is next door to the Muswellbrook Workers Club.
The Jerrys Plains Tavern is a somewhat tired single-storey tavern in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country. It sits on 4,041 m² on the Golden Highway, and features a public bar, bistro, 3 PMEs, commercial kitchen and ample off-street parking. It also includes a well-appointed four bedroom owner’s residence on the site.
Still owning a half-dozen hotel operations, Fernandes has determined to “rebalance his portfolio” and has listed the venues with Ray White Hotels, to be sold individually or as a group, via an auction to be held at the company’s offices.
As Sydney satellite regions continue as the frontier in hotel investments in a hot, stock-starved market, the Hunter Valley, enjoying 2.5 million tourist visitors annually, is prime for upscale hotel investment and redevelopment.
The three assets are being managed by Ray White’s Xavier Plunkett and Blake Edwards, who suggest the entry-level operations represent strong opportunities for both first-time and experienced operators, and the market will judge their worth at auction.
“Purchasers will identify value in the area – renowned for its scenic beauty, prime agricultural land and prolific mining output,” says Plunkett.
The three pubs will be auctioned individually at Ray White Head Office on Friday, 16 June (unless sold prior).
