Owner to sell iconic Ballarat hotel after more than 20 years

Craig's Royal Hotel has been reluctantly put up for sale for the first time in 20 years.

Owner John Finning has put Ballarat's most historic pub on the market with an expectation of $13 million after spending the last two decades bringing the historic hotel back to life.

Speaking to the Courier, Finning said the Ballarat region is among the strongest tourist regions in the state.

"I had been spending four to five days a week in Ballarat since the renovation but my current situation means I'm not there as often as I used to be,” he said.

After constantly improving and investing in the business, he says the business is “flourishing” leaving the buyer in a position to continue to grow the business.

"But this is now one that is fully redeveloped inside and a new owner can walk straight into," he said.

JLL's Hotels and Hospitality vice-president Will Connolly is handling the sale, describing it as “a hotel like no other".

"The buyer will be purchasing a brand rather than a hotel, perhaps someone who is looking for a flagship property,” he told the Courier.

Expressions of interest will open on November 6 and close on December 5.

Sheridan Randall, 1^st November 2019