It was revealed in June that David Barnhill would sell the iconic watering hole after more than 20 years in the business.

Fraser Haughton and Chris Cornforth, the founders of Harvest Hotels which currently runs five hotels, has now taken over the establishment on the corner of Edward and Peter streets.

Mr Haughton said the hospitality group has been waiting for the right opportunity to enter the region.

He said the pub market is "tightly held" in the region, but the Farrer came to their attention about five months ago, and they worked with Mr Barnhill to complete the sale directly.

"Wagga is a growing town, it's economically diverse, has a great pub market and has all the services you would expect for a major regional centre - we're thrilled," Mr Haughton said.

"We want to have the best pubs in the best towns and the William Farrer Hotel is exactly that.

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"It's a community pub that has been run extremely well by the Barnhill family for over 20 years and we look forward to continuing the legacy."

Mr Haughton said they will eventually come up with some plans to renovate the space, but the priority at the moment is to ensure a smooth transition.

He said any changes were at least six to 12 months away.

"In due course, yes we will want to do some renos, but I don't think we have anything specific as to what they are," Mr Haughton said.

"We will look at doing some works on the facade and liven it up and freshen it up and realistically the courtyard and the beer garden is where we will look to expand."

Harvest Hotels officially took over ownership and management of the William Farrer Hotel on Monday.

But Mr Barnhill will stay around to manage the established punters club.

"We have been lucky enough to have David Barnhill stay on to assist us with the transition into the Farrer," Mr Haughton said.

"Patrons can be assured the infamous Super Punters Club, which is an institution in Wagga, won't be changing.

"You will see us behind the bar this week, so come in and say g'day."

This latest venture adds to the group's portfolio of regional pubs across the state including Tamworth, where they re-opened the doors of one of the region's oldest pubs - The Courthouse Hotel - in September 2020 following a major renovation; and more recently, Albury and Dubbo following the purchase of Brady's Railway Hotel in Albury in late 2020 and the Milestone Hotel in Dubbo in May 2021.

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