Refurbished Brunswick Tavern set to open

The doors of the historic Brunswick Tavern are set to finally swing open again after months of renovations, with the hotel’s new liquor licence granted last week.

Tavern owner Clinton Ford said it was good to finally get the licence approved for the tavern after the process took much longer than expected.

“We really thought we would have been licensed back in May but it’s been a slower process than we anticipated,” Mr Ford said.

“There were no issues with it at all, just the time that it took to get it.”

Conditional approval was granted by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industriestwo weeks ago, with the Harvey Shire Council approval granted last Wednesday and final approval from the department last Friday.

“The shire came through on the Tuesday and approved everything on the Wednesday which was very quick of them,” he said.

“They have been absolutely brilliant through the whole process.”

Mr Ford said he hoped to open the tavern on September 14 or 15 if all went well, with the restaurant and bar both up and running.

“If everything goes to plan... if not it will definitely be the week after,” he said.

Renovations began on the tavern in April with most of the inside rebuilt and all the external walls repainted.

“Pretty much a full renovation, most of the walls stayed it was just internal,” he said.

“Just about everything has been replaced or refurnished.”

Mr Ford said the only thing retained from the previous furnishing was the polished wood bar top.

“That was there when we bought the place, that was the only thing that survived the renovation,” he said.

He said he was pleased with the finished result which retained its classic country tavern feel.

“I think it keeps the old country charm, but a little more modernised version of a country pub I feel,” he said.