The rambunctious Jack Duggan’s Irish Pub is on the market, offering a prime opportunity in Australia’s oldest inland city.
A pub has been trading at the site, in the Central Bathurst CBD, since 1849, originally named the Daniel O’Connell Inn. A decade later its name was changed to the Commercial Hotel.
In 2008 it was bought by the current owners, Glyn and Helen Daunt, in partnership with Peter and Shannon Barrett, who determined to update the moniker again, to Jack Duggan’s – in remembrance of the man himself, the ‘wild colonial boy’ who broke out of Bathurst Gaol to become a bushranger in 1829 – and to better reflect the area’s rich history and strong Irish-Australian connection.
A commanding two-storey structure, with period first floor veranda fronting George Street, the pub comprises a traditional front bar with classic timberwork, gaming room, large bistro and commercial kitchen, lounge seating and rear outdoor seating, and 10 accommodation rooms upstairs, sleeping up to 34 people.
Marketing literature cites “immaculate presentation throughout” and rear access via a large 330-space council carpark.
Immediate scope to improve the operation can be seen in relocating and upgrading the gaming operation, permitted to hold eight machines and not currently with a smoking solution, ranking #959 in the state and #9 in the Bathurst LGA.
There is also significant upside potential coming via the massive new proposed $70 million Bathurst Integrated Medical Centre development on the same block, set to drive increased trade during construction and once completed.
Bathurst is a regional city with population of circa 45,000, less than three hours north-west of Sydney, and Australia’s oldest inland settlement, being site of the first gold discovery and start of the subsequent ‘gold rush’.
The historic city centre boasts many ornate buildings from the period and an enviable calendar of events, headlined by the iconic Bathurst 1000, drawing thousands of tourists. Its modern economy is driven by education, tourism and manufacturing, seeing strong growth in recent years, increasing urban development, retail, sporting facilities, housing and industrial property.
After more than 13 years at the helm, the owners say they have taken the pub as far as they can and think it is time for a new operator to take it to the next level.
Weekly revenue (full year FY19) is reported at around $45k, coming mostly from Bar (51 per cent) and Food (30 per cent), while Gaming makes up only 14 per cent.
“Jack Duggan’s Irish Pub is a rare offering, being a recognised and popular local venue yet offering huge future growth potential and scope to improve,” says Manenti Quinlan’s Leonard Bongiovanni, marketing the property.
“It is an example of an Irish pub that’s been really well executed, and a rare opportunity for a purchaser to buy a much-loved local venue with huge growth potential.”
The freehold going concern of Jack Duggan’s Irish Pub is being sold via Expressions of Interest, closing Thursday, 17 March.
