New Hope For Newtown Hotel

Local News, By Christian Taylor, 15th April, 2008

There’s been movement in the stalemate between the owners and the previous operators of the much loved Newtown Hotel. The venue will be re-opening for business, but will it be gay? That still remains to be seen.

David McHugh from McHugh Holdings, the company that operates Kinselas, The Columbian and up until last November the Newtown Hotel, told the Inner Western Suburbs Courier, “the good news is that the hotel will return later this year, in some form or another.”

The community was rocked last November when the doors were closed with virtually no notice and the empty bar was patrolled by security guards. Negotiations over the renewal of the operators’ 25 year lease had broken down. The matter was meant to be going to the Supreme Court, but now the venue owners have decided against that. McHugh said that court was no longer necessary because both parties were now speaking amicably, which can only be a good thing.

The venue’s closure has definitely left a hole in Sydney’s gay community – 20 people were left out of work, local businesses and gay charities lost revenue and Newtown was left without a permanent gay venue at a time when Oxford Street was at its most dire. McHugh says that regardless out of the outcome of talks, he’ll just be happy to finally have closure.

Your Thoughts

Hey there, you need to be logged in to get involved with SameSame, click here to login if you're already a member, or here if you need to become a new member.