A 140-year-old awning around a historic Albury pub has been destroyed by hoons in the early hours of Saturday morning.
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Sodens Hotel licencee Brendan Tracey said police notified him of the property damage after reports of two men "doing burnouts" lost control and took out three posts holding the awning up on the corner of Wilson and David Streets.
"2020 bites us again," he told The Border Mail.
"There were two male occupants doing burnouts last night, they lost control and wiped out the three corner posts on the front lawn.
"We are coming into the busiest time again so for this to happen is really soul destroying I suppose.
"It is just another disappointment."
Mr Tracey said the awning has given way and will have to be replaced.
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"The whole front awning will have to come down and rebuilt it has been here since 1880 I think," he said.
"So to last all this time and for some idiot to destroy it is pretty s###."
When asked what the cost will be Mr Tracey said it will be "well into the six figure mark".
"To have a temporary fence around the front of our pub for the Christmas and probably January period isn't going to be the best look for the pub.
"My message to the blokes who did this is to get off the road."
Mr Tracey wanted to reassure patrons the pub is still open for business.
In a NSW Police statement to The Border Mail police confirmed they are investigating the incident.
"Inquiries are continuing after a 4WD crashed into a hotel in Albury earlier today," a spokesperson said.
"Officers from Murray River Police District were alerted after a grey Ford Futura Wagon hit the building at the corner of David and Wilson Streets, about 3.10am.
"The impact caused significant damage to the balcony of the licenced premises."
The spokesperson said witnesses told police a person had left the scene in a taxi.
"Investigations led officers to an address in Glenroy, where they spoke with the male passenger of the vehicle," the statement said.
"Inquiries continue to locate the driver.
"The vehicle has been towed from the scene and the area has been secured."