WHEN the Royal Hotel opens its doors next month manager Adrian Sandrey is confident patrons will like what they see. After six months of construction the historic pub will unveil its multimillion-dollar makeover in early March.
Sandrey said the changes would transform the venue. “When people come in for a look once the works are complete I am 100 per cent sure they are going to be impressed,” he said.
“I understand that it might be a culture shock to begin with; some people will like it, some people might not come around to it straight away.
“But we are creating an atmosphere where everyone can feel comfortable. We want to see people coming out and enjoying themselves, bringing the family, and showing Canberra that Queanbeyan has got something to offer.”
Growing up in Britain with parents who ran hotels, Sandrey has been in the pub game his entire life.
He made the move to Australia in 1990, running venues in Sydney and Canberra.
He spent a decade in Eden before moving to regional South Australia two years ago where he ran hotels and volunteered as a paramedic.
After a four-month stint in Goulburn he moved back to Queanbeyan this month. “I know the area, I know the people and I could spot the opportunity,” he said.
The Royal Hotel was purchased in 2009 by Pub Funds Investments, an investment group that had already transformed several Goulburn venues.
Queanbeyan City Council approved stage-one renovations in September, paving the way for builders to move in.
The works include major renovations to the main bar and bistro area, new kitchen facilities and refurbishment and repair of the roof.
“[Pub Funds] saw the opportunity for Queanbeyan to have an establishment like this – for a more cosmopolitan venue and to step up a bit as far as service and hospitality is concerned,” Sandrey said.
“Somewhere you can get an affordable great meal and not feel uncomfortable about going there. The Royal’s reputation has superseded it in the past but that had to change. It couldn’t exist as it was any longer.”
There was no coincidence the renovations also coincided with the building of the Crawford Street Lifestyle precinct.
Sandrey said the pub would take full advantage of the street works with a licensed outdoor dining area.
“The mayor has the foresight, along with the Council, to bring these Crawford Street developments along,” Sandrey said.
“It’s been a hard time for business in this street but when the job is actually done I do believe it will be a great thing for Queanbeyan.”
The renovations are also undoubtedly the biggest alterations to the pub since it first opened its door in 1926.
At the time Canberra was a dry town and its thirsty residents would have to take the 10km journey into Queanbeyan for a tipple.
The popularity of the hotel in its heyday can be found in its sizeable cellar – extending the entire length of the building – with enough room to store hundreds of kegs of beer.
It’s a legacy that Sandrey is keen to restore.
“We have kept as much of the heritage aspects as possible,” he said.
“Obviously some of it was in too ill a state to rectify but when everything is finished the pub will look 1000 per cent better – but you will still be able to recognise it as the Royal Hotel.”
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