Why a busy Aussie town of 4,400 people where property prices have skyrocketed by $200K hasn’t had a pub for four years – as furious locals demand an end to beer drought
- Romsey Hotel closed its doors four years, leaving thirsty locals high and dry
- Furious residents were told shutdown was just temporary and want it re-opened
- Owner Jim Hogan has ambitious $15million redevelopment plans for the pub
- But plan has been blocked by local council and site may become fast food outlet
A bitter Victorian row has left a country town high and dry as the town with no pub.
Romsey, with a population of 4,412 and an hour north of Melbourne, was plunged into a beer drought when the shutters came down on the Romsey Hotel four years ago.
Locals were told it was only going got be temporary, but years later the doors are still sealed shut as the town’s only watering hole becomes an abandoned eyesore.
The rest of the town has seen a property boom with average house prices soaring by $200,000 in two years – but no-one has taken on the country pub.
Now thirsty townsfolk are demanding action so they can once again sip on a frothy among friends.
Romsey, with a population of 4,412 and an hour north of Melbourne, was plunged into a beer drought when the shutters came down on the Romsey Hotel (pictured) four years ago
But a $15million redevelopment of the site has been blocked by the local council in a row over a pokies room, which could now see the pub become a fast food outlet.
‘We want a pub, and so does everybody else,’ local Sandra Chestnut told Nine’s A Current Affair.
‘Absolutely, with good food and a good manager.
‘We were told the hoardings were only going to be temporary but four years is not temporary. Four years is permanent.’
Locals can get a beer and a meal at the nearby Salton Pepper restaurant, but many want to be able to return to their perch at the bar to chew the fat, not food.
Locals were told it was only going got be temporary – but years later the doors are still sealed shut as the town’s only watering hole becomes an abandoned eyesore
Locals can get a beer and a meal at the nearby Salton Pepper restaurant (pictured), but many want to be able to return to their perch at the bar to chew the fat, not food
Tourism spokeswoman Jenny Stillman admitted: ‘The pub closed several years almost overnight and that was very disappointing to the local community,’
The crisis began when the pub leaseholder went bust in 2017, but ambitious $15million plans of owner Jim Hogan have been thwarted by Macedon Ranges Shire Council.
Mr Hogan, former director of the Australian Hotels Association, says he wanted to employ 100 people at the revamped pub, with a new bistro and sports ground.
‘The ball is fairly and squarely in the court of the local council,’ he said. ‘They need to listen to the people and say, “Okay, we want a fully redeveloped hotel in the town.”
The crisis began when the pub leaseholder went bust in 2017, but ambitious $15million plans of owner Jim Hogan (pictured) have been thwarted by Macedon Ranges Shire Council
‘It’s a pity. I feel sorry for my staff and my patrons and people of Romsey.’
He added: ‘I’m happy to engage with the council.
‘I know what the people of Romsey want – but it’s really a council decision, not mine.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Macedon Ranges Shire Council for comment.
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