How a 'parmi' saved a pub

One historic Hobart hotel has turned its fortunes around by becoming more appealing to the pockets and palates of its patrons.

The landmark Riverview Inn at Sandy Bay has replaced its expensive upmarket fare with cheap and cheerful crowd pleasers.

This means the meals offering oysters, champagne and French sauces have gone and in their place are the ever-popular schnitzels and parmigianas.

Hotel owner Helen Schurink said she had managed to double patronage in the past couple of months by slashing the menu prices.

The old menu ranged in price from between $19 to $33 for mains, but now the pub has slashed the price of every main on the menu to just $15.90.

"My prices are now lower than they were three or four years ago," Mrs Schurink said.

"But it's flicked a switch we are getting 100 to 150 more bums on seats every week."

Mrs Schurink said people might assume the Sandy Bay clientele would be happy to pay top dollar for a meal but this was not the case.

"Some of them are asset rich but have poor cash flow," she said.

The drastic price reduction had come in reaction to a tough trading environment.

"Pubs are struggling," she said. "There are too many restaurants and eateries and we don't have the population to go around."

Mrs Schurink said she was proud she had managed to turn around the fortunes of her pub without resorting to introducing poker machines.

"I want to stay family friendly," she said.

The 1842 Riverview Inn is one of many historic Tasmanian pubs on the market, but Mrs Schurink said she wasn't selling because business was down.

"I want a lifestyle change, I've been doing this for 25 years now and I want a change," she said.

Source: The Mercury, 15 July 2012