The very Irish Tullamore Hotel freehold going concern is on the market, offering a growing business and ‘good craic’ in the central western town.
Publican Anna Heitzmann has been building the Tullamore for the past seven years, juggling a young child while her husband operates his trucking business. The couple previously operated the Narromine Hotel, before moving to Tullamore.
Heitzmann has lived and breathed the town’s pub, making it central to the growing tradition of the Irish Festival, celebrating local heritage.
But as life moves on, they find themselves “a bit tired” and looking at options on what to do next.
“With a hotel, you’ve got to identify when your exit plan is, and it’s just that time,” says Anna. “We’ve been there seven years. It’s a great community, especially for kids. Safe, family-oriented community. Our boy was two when we moved there, he’s nine now – there’s a saying, it takes a community to raise a child.
“What I’d really like to do is see someone take the pub to the next level.”
After a long time in the game, Heitzmann thinks this will probably be her last pub gig, but you “never say never”.
She sees upside for owner-operators, particularly in improving outdoor entertainment, and food and coffee for the increasing number of travellers passing through the town.
Since the completion of sealed roads through the area, greater numbers of grey nomads have joined the convoy of trucks using Tullamore. Activity is likely to further increase as a result of the massive Clean TeQ Sunrise mine opening nearby, believed to be one of the largest nickel and cobalt deposits outside of Africa, and one of the largest and highest-grade deposits of scandium in the world.
The handsome two-storey brick Tullamore Hotel was built in 1919, and above the public bar are eight nicely appointed accommodation rooms, plus a separate three-bedroom manager’s flat. There is no gaming, but a low barrier to possibly acquiring machines.
It also holds a large vacant block of land next door that is already equipped with power and sewerage. It would suit further accommodation, or powered sites for passing caravanners. The pub’s accommodation has not been widely marketed to date.
“It’s a pretty neat, compact business and she works it really hard; she’s a good publican,” offers Manenti Quinlan’s Nick Butler, marketing the property.
“It’s the best pub accommodation I’ve seen in a while.”
Heitzmann has listed the pub asset with Manenti Quinlan, with an asking price of $575,000.
“The Hotel celebrates the Irish heritage of the town and the warm hospitality of its current owners. Good craic with an Aussie accent.”
