The waterfront Anglers Rest Hotel is ushering in the next generation, seeing Geoff Watts and Mal McKellar sell the freehold going concern to one of their long-serving managers.
The McKellar and Watts families have owned the Anglers Rest Hotel for in excess of 30 years, buying the Hawkesbury property in 1985.
Ready to move into retirement the pair listed the pub in March 2020, just before the pandemic hit, with price expectations circa $4.5 million.
When sale discussions resumed three parties were competing equally for the prize, and Geoff and Mal opted to accept $4.7 million from Narelle Gauslaa, who has worked at the pub for the past 33 years – since shortly after she was legally allowed to enter the premise.
While intimately familiar with its operation, this is Narelle’s first pub. She will be joined by husband Steve.
“We’re excited about it,” she says. “I’ve lived in Brooklyn pretty much all my life.”
Focusing on the new responsibilities, the pub will stay much the same for the immediate future.
“My husband hasn’t been in the pub game before. We’re just going to get in here and tick along, maybe do a few happy hours and that kind of thing for the locals.”
The Hotel occupies a large block on the Brooklyn beachfront of the Hawkesbury River, roughly halfway between Sydney and the Central Coast. A popular area for boating and tourism, it provides public bar, bistro, outdoor courtyards, gaming room, and eight accommodation rooms.
Marketing literature for the sale touted upside in revision of the gaming operation, and reclaiming the bistro, which is currently leased out.
The transaction was managed by HTL Property’s Blake Edwards, who wishes the vendors well for their retirement and notes the legacy result.
“It is especially pleasing to see their long-term employee Narelle instigate a management buy-out (MBO) and end up the eventual purchaser,” says Edwards.
“It most certainly assisted in a smooth transition, and will ensure Mal and Geoff’s legacy lives on in the pub.”
