A proposed $1.5 million development of the historic Coolamon Hotel has been submitted after the heritage-listed pub closed down during the pandemic.
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The local pub shut down when coronavirus restrictions made normal trade impossible in 2020, but in a submission to council this week new owners have proposed a $1.5 million facelift to the structure.
Purchased in November 2020 by co-owners Megan Taylor, Craig Patterson, Geoff Harrison and Christine Harrison, the proposal hopes to modernise the pub's dining and accommodation offerings while maintaining its historic architecture.
"Our intention is to bring the pub back to life with some great food options but to also maintain the public bar and sports bar with that Australian pub feel," Ms Taylor said.
"What is at the heart of us taking on this project is that we have ties to the Coolamon community and it seemed a dreadful shame for the pub not to be running and not to be available to use when it could be so much more."
The structure at 73 Cowabbie Street, Coolamon is estimated to have been in use as a public house since at least 1898, with the development proposing a number of renovations or restorations be carried out on the building.
Among the proposed changes is a refurbishment of the upstairs kitchen and dining area with the original fireplaces retained and rendered, and a new bar put in.
The kitchen will also be replaced, and an eye to outside dining is evident in a pitched roof proposed to cover the courtyard and a new internal staircase to lead directly to the upper balcony.
A proposed paint job on the structure will see the green and red colour scheme replaced with a 'modern neutral' palate of grey and white, and proposed landscaping will 'beautify' the surrounding outside areas.
Works including a new roof and verandah already been approved and are underway.
Planning and Heritage service provider Camilla Rocks prepared the environmental impact statement on the property and said the proposed development will be a fresh start for the heritage pub.
"It's a great building and they'll be bringing it back to life," she said. "Internally there's a lot of beautiful stained glass and it is going to look really beautiful."
Local businesses are positive about the plans for the hotel to reopen.
"I think it's great for the local community," Coolamon Cheese Factory general manager Keiran Spencer said. "It's a new drawcard to Coolamon that's a bit different."
He welcomed news the heritage listing would undergo restorations, saying retaining the town's heritage while encouraging progress is a priority for the town.
Barty's Cafe owner Sue Fifield also welcomed the news, saying for residents and tourists alike it would provide a much needed extra dining option.
"I think it will be fantastic and we need a second pub," Ms Fifield said. "We're only a small town but people need that option."
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