Batesford Hotel is on the market

The Batesford Hotel, located at 700 Old Ballarat Rd in the Victorian town of Batesford, has been put on the market.

The sale comes at the right time for the award winning pub which was rebuilt after it went up in flames in August 2016.

The Batesford has had had some recognition, picking up the Golden Plate Award in 2013 and the Culinary Shield hospitality award in 2012.

Batesford Hotel owner Tanya Bennett listed the business and freehold to the popular wedding and pub venue for an expressions of interest campaign.

The campaign will run until March 28.

The venue is expected to fetch a good price with JLL vice president, investment sales Mathew George saying hopes are running high for something in the order of $3.5 million.

He says the hotel offers two quality hotels under one roof. The main hotel was built around 1850 and features a bistro, bar, function room and sun room, as well as providing outdoor seating and service areas.

Then there is the new Moorabool room at the rear of the hotel overlooking the expansive garden by the river.

George says the forward bookings at the Batesford include 23 weddings already confirmed.

Bennett has put a lot of time and investment into the Batesford.

She has owned it since 2011 and has put it through two renovations in that seven years.

“We completely renovated it before the fire,” Bennett told the Geelong Advertiser. “The fire meant we had to demolish more than half the building and completely rebuild the kitchen and function room.”

“It looks so beautiful – it’s so well received I feel we’re leaving on a high.

“On a personal level, I’d like a rest. It’s a big business but very rewarding.

“For me, I’m leaving with such pride with the way it looks.”

She said the Batesford had now established itself as a pub for foodies, drawing in a big number of return visitors from Geelong, Melbourne, Ballarat and the Great Ocean Road.

Leon Getler 5th March 2018.