Western Australian pub group LocalsCo has bought the 123 year-old heritage-listed Bayswater Hotel & Motel in Perth from its owner of 40 years.
LocalsCo, owned by Dave Allan and Lawson Douglas, has a number of historic large-format hospitality venues, including the Subiaco Hotel, the Rose Hotel in Bunbury, the Exchange Hotel in Kalgoorlie, and the recently purpose-built Treendale Farm Hotel in Australind.
LocalsCo venues led by Treendale Farm Hotel won five awards at this year’s 2021 AHA-Aon Hospitality Awards for Excellence.
Bayswater Hotel covers 6,452sqm and includes three bars, a café, large format restaurant, function area, TAB, drive-through bottle shop and a 40-room motel.
It is located between the Perth CBD and Perth Airport, and lies within DevelopmentWA’s Metronet East redevelopment area.
The purchase represents the first time the hotel has changed ownership in more than 40 years, and the sale attracted more than 120 enquiries and multiple bids, according to JLL Hotels and Hospitality Group which managed the sale.
“The Bayswater Hotel is a beautiful pub with a rich history that is going to continue to be an important and integral part of a refreshed suburb and community hub,” Douglas said.
“Our venues are always about the locals and the Bayswater Hotel will be no different. The purpose of a pub is to serve its local community and form a valuable meeting place. There will be things we want to consider but the wishes of the local community will drive every decision we make.”
The venue’s offering will be enhanced to serve the evolving demographic of Bayswater and to reflect its strategic location, according to Allan.
“The Bayswater is a cherished local institution and we want to ensure it retains its significance as the community’s local pub but with a refreshed offering suitable for the changing demographics of the surrounding area,” he said.
“We are excited to continue the tradition of this iconic pub and to be its custodians throughout the next era of Bayswater’s growth.”