The Milestone Hotel in Dubbo is the latest pub in Harvest Hotels’ portfolio to unveil a new look, undergoing a six-week renovation to expand the pub’s footprint and revitalise the space.
Dating back to 1881, the pub was acquired by Harvest Hotels in 2021, having now undergone its first refurbishment under the group’s ownership. Key upgrades include the removal of an in-venue bottle shop, the addition of a new public bar with wagering facilities and the expansion of the bistro.
Harvest Hotels co-founder and chief development officer, Fraser Haughton, says: “There’s plenty of great, large format pubs in Dubbo, but what makes The Milestone unique is its prime location and features like the heritage façade and sandstone chambers.
“We wanted to draw from these elements to create a pub with distinctive character – part classic corner pub, part freshly transformed venue – that can now take its place as everyone’s favourite new local.
“We explored a lot of different ideas in terms of the scale of renovations, but what really drove us was the goal of turning it into a true asset for the CBD – a welcoming, no fuss place everyone would want to visit for a cold drink and a bite to eat,” he explained.
New furniture, fixtures and equipment have elevated the experience at The Milestone Hotel, along with a new entertainment line-up and a revamped food menu comprising pub classics and seasonal specials.
Describing the feel of the renovated pub, Haughton told Australian Hotelier: “I’d have to say The Milestone’s new look is quintessential – the perfect example of a really good, iconic corner pub, and that’s exactly what we were aiming for.
“Most of the work was done on the entry level, where we removed the bottle shop to make room for a brand-new public bar. This change then allowed us to expand the bistro, adding plenty more seating and creating a comfortable space for larger groups and more diners.
“The finishes are what you’d expect to see in a classic pub – tartan carpets, a beautiful timber bar, great big screens for live sport and racing, a mix of timber and leather trimmed seating options and warm lighting, but all executed in a contemporary style,” he continued.
Portfolio strengthening
The Milestone Hotel is one of five pubs in the Harvest Hotels portfolio to receive a refurbishment in the last 12 months, alongside the William Farrer Hotel in Wagga Wagga, Northside Hotel in Albury, Aussie Inn in Adelaide and the Woy Woy Hotel on the Central Coast.
According to Haughton, ongoing refurbishments are key to Harvest Hotel’s portfolio strengthening strategy, with more planned for the year ahead.
“Right now, we’re in the final stages of planning for The Jerrabomberra Hotel in Queanbeyan, which we bought last year, and we’re hoping to start work on it soon. We’ll also get going on two other projects in the first half of this year, one in Adelaide and the other on The Vic Hotel in Wagga.
“While we’ve been focusing on rolling out renovations to mature our existing portfolio, we’re always exploring opportunities to welcome the right pub in the right area to Harvest,” Haughton added.
While each of the refurbishments are unique, the design process keeps the local community front of mind with the purpose of making each pub attractive to a broader demographic of customers, from the physical upgrades through to operational aspects.
“We really focus on what the community wants and needs when developing new projects. We spend a lot of time talking to locals, diving into demographic trends, and looking at growth projections to make sure what we’re building truly adds value,” says Haughton.
“We make sure the layout, features, and offerings of the pub fit the demographic demands of the area. The more spaces we can create that are attractive to additional groups of people that otherwise weren’t frequenting the pub, the more successful the development will be.
“Lately, we’ve noticed a big demand for more entertainment, events and experiences; so, we make sure to tailor our space and operational features to support different forms of live music and other entertainment, and that we have a strong line up of weekly activity to meet those demands. Our goal is to create a place where people come for more than just food and drinks – we want them to come for a great experience as that is what keeps them coming back week after week,” he continued.
Off the back of several major projects, Haughton is pleased to report an uptick in sales post-renovation.
“In each case they have met and exceeded post-development budgets across food, beverage, retail and gaming – some by significant margins. And just as importantly, they’ve been well received by our patrons which is critical to any long-term success,” he explained.