HTL Property Agents, Xavier Plunkett, Ben Kennedy, and Andrew Jolliffe, present to the market  the Freehold Going Concern Interest in the Railway Hotel, Armidale.

This expansive, full-format hotel features a public bar, sports bar with TAB, gaming room containing 13 x very  valuable Band 2 Poker Machine Entitlements, a fully equipped commercial kitchen, a large bistro with seating  for over 100 patrons; and a drive-through bottle shop. The property operates under a highly sought-after late trading 3am licence.

The hotel, a striking two-storey structure in the late Victorian style and complemented by a modern extension,  occupies a substantial 3,819sqm* site. The property offers parking facilities for over 60 vehicles and includes  an additional 800sqm of surplus land; which enjoys DA Approval for the development of a 16-room motel, with  approval granted by Armidale Council in 2021.

The hotel benefits from a large and diverse residential and commercial catchment and holds a strategic  position as the nearest licensed venue to the region's largest employer, the Armidale Base Hospital.

The vendor, DB Pubs Pty Ltd, a privately held company, acquired the hotel in 2021. Initially, the current owners  had planned for an extensive capital works program, including a major upgrade of both the gaming offering and  the motel DA. However, they have since decided to divest the asset and redirect their focus towards core  assets closer to their hospitality operations headquarters in the Hunter Valley.

“The well-rounded business generates approximately $80,000 in weekly revenues across its gaming, bar,  bistro, and bottle shop l revenue streams. There exists substantial potential for further revenue growth with a  more hands-on management approach” believes HTL Property’s Xavier Plunkett.

The Armidale Local Government Area (LGA) boasts a population of approximately 30,000, supported by a  robust agricultural economy. The area also benefits from a significant educational base, with multiple state  and private schools; as well as the esteemed University of New England, in addition to the Armidale Base  Hospital.

The New England Region experienced significant market activity and investment last year, with the sales of  both the Royal Hotel Armidale to the Payne Family and the Wicklow Hotel to the Feros Group; as well as the  impressive redevelopment and reopening of the Bolt Inn in Uralla underscoring the desirability of quality  assets within the Region.

“Strong underlying revenue performance, an extensive landholding, and diversified income streams are some  of the most attractive qualities for seasoned hoteliers. The Railway Hotel exemplifies these attributes, offering  a 'plug-and-play' asset coupled with considerable potential for immediate upside” advised Plunkett.

“The New England is currently one of the most sought-after regional markets for hoteliers; and with a recent  shortage of high-quality assets available in the broader regional market, we anticipate significant interest in  this property,” concluded HTL Property’s, Ben Kennedy.

HTL Property has transacted over $250 million in hospitality assets within the New England Region, and holds a  90% market share in the area.

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