IF you've always dreamt of pulling a beer for your mates in your very own pub, this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for.
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Coronavirus hit the hospitality industry hard with forced closures, social distancing and many hoteliers resorting to offering takeaway food for the first time.
But, now as restrictions ease people are starting to show an interest in buying a pub to call their own.
There were nine for sale by John Parsons Hotels (JPH) across the NSW Central West, with a range of venues up for grabs, but recently three have just sold.
The Railway Hotel in Grenfell, the Criterion Hotel in Crookwell and the Wombat Hotel in Wombat (near Young) have already been snapped up.
Still on the market is the: Elephant and Castle Hotel in Bathurst ($2.275m), Vandenberg Hotel in Forbes ($2.1m), Cargo Inn in Cargo ($585,000), Imperial Hotel in Trangie ($485,000), Commercial Hotel in Werris Creek ($450,000) and the Royal Hotel in Euabalong ($390,000).
The Central West is an amazing place to invest in a pub, JPH sales director Reggie Henderson said.
"People are looking for a really good food and beverage offering and something that stands out from the rest," he said.
"Orange and the Central West are destination points and people are attracted to see what it looks like."
Mr Henderson said the "big five" is vital for people looking to buy a pub, and they include: Bottleshop, accommodation, bar, bistro and gaming.
"They'll be seeing what's there and whether any opportunities exist," he said.
Mr Henderson said he has been fielding enquiries from a range of people recently including hotel groups and individuals.
"There's people coming out of Sydney who want to get a foothold in there without spending millions of dollars," he said.
The 'big five' is vital for people looking to buy a pub, and they include: Bottleshop, accommodation, bar, bistro and gaming.
- John Parsons Hotels sales director Reggie Henderson
"There's tree changers who are already in the industry who can't afford to buy in Sydney."
During the heights of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Henderson said banks were reluctant to lend money for people to buy a pub.
"Large funding comes from banks and banks weren't transacting because hotels weren't open. It's only now we're seeing a little retraction and we're starting to get the interest back," he said.
For those keen to give it a go, Mr Henderson had a few words of wisdom.
"It's a hard gig to own a pub and run a pub and it's big hours. There's an illusion of grandeur with running your own pub," he said.
"But, emotionally and financially it can be rewarding if you're prepared to give it a go."