Paddington’s historic Village Inn is under threat of being turned into a retail space by its new owners, and locals are not impressed, exclaiming its “cultural significance”.
Established 1850, near the corner of Glenmore Road and Oxford Street, the prominent three-level pub is between Paddington’s famous ‘Five Ways’ and The Intersection – the unofficial home to Australia’s best collection of fashion brands. The current building was constructed in 1888, making it the oldest in the precinct.
It has been known over the years as the Rose & Crown Hotel, and for a long time Durty Nelly’s, before Brodie Peterson bought it in 2013 and curated it into the Village Inn.
A Development Application submitted by Bowie Ferris Investments was posted to Woollahra Council’s website 2 August, to transform the site into a mixed-use business, featuring “alterations and additions” to change from a pub to retail stores at street level and office space on the first and second floors.
The proposal has attracted the ire of many locals, launching a “Save The Village Inn” campaign on social media and petition on Change.org, which (at time of publishing) has already attracted more than 1,500 signatures.
Early this year Brody Peterson divested his handsome Inn to an “interstate investor”, reporting annual revenues circa $2.1 million and offering scope (STCA) for a rooftop beer garden or function space that would offer CBD views.
The buyer was Lesleigh Jermanus, who owns fashion brand Alemais and installed Stehr Hospitality as operators. Plans were reported for a DA to be lodged to repurpose the upper floors, as part of capitalising on potential.
Ben Stehr says his operation has enjoyed its stay at the Village and he would like “to continue our time serving the community for as long as possible”.
The heritage impact statement on the DA was carried out by Weir Phillips Heritage and Planning, which suggested the pub is “unnecessary” in Paddington.
But locals have swiftly emerged to disagree, some saying this is simply the latest attempt at killing off Paddo’s heritage.
Woollahra Council has declared the proposal is still in early stages and that all submissions lodged with it will be considered in the DA’s assessment.
The decision will ultimately come down to the Woollahra Local Planning Panel, which is expected to meet on the matter before the end of the year.
