New era for the Namoi Hotel

A new era is soon to begin for Narrabri’s 108-year-old Namoi Hotel.

The iconic hotel is to undergo major modernisation and expansion with redevelopment of new bars and drive-through sales, food services, accommodation and family friendly facilities.

The Namoi has long been a familiar part of the community and now, in keeping with the tide of progress underway in Narrabri, will be developed to provide for an exciting future.

The Namoi changed hands at the beginning of the year.

The new owners, led by Tim Ireson and Ben Cochrane, are a family business which operates successful hotels in metropolitan and regional NSW.

The new owners focus on developing welcoming, community hotels with an emphasis on great food and hospitality, Namoi Hotel manager Jeff Fisher said.

“This will be reflected in this exciting new development.”

Jeff took the reins for the new owners in February.

The owners were in Narrabri last week to continue fine tuning plans for the re-development.

What’s in store for the Namoi?

Architects are working on the design with a DA expected to be lodged in the next few weeks.

The exterior and general structure will be retained but the interior will be completely modernised.

The full development will take about eight months, with the expectation the ‘new ’Namoi will be welcoming patrons by the October long weekend next year, Mr Fisher said.

However, the hotel will continue to trade while work progresses, Mr Fisher added.

“The redevelopment will see a new dual lane drive-through bottleshop with access from Tibbereena Street to Maitland Street.

“Outdoor dining and beer gardens will also be activated along with a children’s playground facility.

“The owner’s focus will be to activate new areas catering for families in the district but also keeping the character and feel of the front of the Hotel.

“We will be creating a family friendly, community hotel,” said Mr Fisher.

“This is an exciting development for Narrabri.”