REILLY GOES SOUTH

Pioneering Sydney publican Ray Reilly has stepped out of his inner west sanctum, buying the freehold going concern of the pastoral Sutton Forest Inn.

Established 1936, the two-storey hotel is nestled among the rolling green hills of the Southern Highlands, on a huge 20-acre (8-Ha) block.

It offers guests a main bar, bistro, eight gaming machines, ten accommodation rooms, and a large beer garden. 

Long-time owner David Dickenson engaged HTL Property to discreetly market the asset, bringing the attentions of Reilly, owner of The Henson in Marrickville, Sydney Park Hotel in Newtown, and White Cockatoo in Petersham.

Around a year ago one of Reilly’s long-standing employees came to him about taking the next step into a pub of his own. Luke Dryland brought a decade of hospitality experience in western Sydney clubs, and took to Reilly Group’s f&b-led inner west stable.

Learning of the Sutton Forest Inn (SFI), around 90 minutes’ drive south of Sydney, they inspected the pub and Reilly says “just had to do it”.

“It’s a beautiful old building. It’s structurally perfect and got the character … it’s everything we need. It’s going to be a cracker.”

Hoping to settle early March, for a quick “spruce-up” and couple of weeks trading before Easter, Reilly reveals the gaming machines will be leased out, making the SFI the kind of family-friendly pub the group does well, and that Dryland is familiar with running.

“It’s all about community, and getting involved with the sports clubs and building it like an old-fashioned proper food and beverage pub. That’s what we’re all about.”

Taking the plunge as landlord, Reilly sees Dryland into the pub as tenant, prompted by his changing circumstance and eagerness to move up in the game.

“I thought, ‘I’d rather do it with you’,” says Reilly. “It’s kind of a natural progression for me, too.”

Dryland joined the group as a junior venue manager at The Henson, progressing to licensee and then group operations manager. He says Ray’s style “brought the passion back” and he relishes the chance to bring his experience to Sutton Forest.

“Ray’s given me a great opportunity to work with him, while stepping away a bit to do something on my own.

“I enjoy working with families, especially now, having a young one around myself. It puts a smile on my face. I think that’s the way a lot of pubs are going, ‘cause there’s a market for it.”

Dryland and his wife are relocating to town with their 20-month-old son Charlie, before the window to make such a move slides shut. The SFI will benefit from Reilly group buying power, and opens new doors for all involved.

“We see the big picture and believe it can hit great heights. The area’s beautiful, the town’s beautiful, and the people down there are great,” adds Dryland.

Reilly also reports he is now considering use for the masses of surplus land, although immediate priority is to get the pub set up to thrive.

The off-market sale for close to $4 million was brokered by HTL’s Blake Edwards and Sam Handy, who report the scarcity of quality opportunities is creating a “perfect storm” for vendors.

“With the current strength of the market many assets that were difficult to sell previously are flying out the door,” says Edwards.

Sale of the SFI follows those of the proximate Southern Railway and Empire Hotels, in Goulburn, late 2019.