By Clyde Mooney – editor Australian Hotelier
Another historic Woollahra pub has come up for sale as the baton changes continue in the burgeoning eastern suburbs precinct.
Famous for its patronage spilling out onto the footpath, the 130-year-old Lord Dudley has been operated for the past 35 years by owner James Couché.
Having fielded dozens of offers over the years for the English-style pub he bought from Tooth & Co in 1989, Couché decided to ‘test the waters’ when Knight Frank broker Mike Wheatley recently approached him with an expression of interest.
“He told me he’d been approached so many times, including by me, after 35 years perhaps he was at the stage of life he should think about retiring,” Wheatley said.
“There’s clearly a lot of interest in the Woollahra-Paddington area, and my phone has already been running hot over the weekend.” [continues below]
Wheatley suggested the Lord Dudley is another opportunity for a food-focused operator.
“As well as all the pub sales, Guillaume Brahimi has left Bennelong in the Opera House and taken on Darcy’s Restaurant, which has given the whole area a shot in the arm.”
Recent months have seen Halcyon buy the nearby Centennial Hotel, WDS Group pick up Riversdale’s Bellevue, and Merivale move into the area with the purchase of the Paddington Arms.
The Dudley’s history is dotted with celebrities and big occasions, including a plaque in the bar dedicated to legendary cricketer and regular Alan McGilvray, and a photo of boxer Les Darcy, who reputedly used to spar in the basement whilst engaged to the then-owner’s daughter.
Visit TheShout's Pub Sales page for current hotel listings.