Pub cheers

By Paul Dunlop
ICONIC waterhole Pakenham Hotel is about to have a major facelift.
The historic pub, a favourite meeting place for locals, will undergo significant renovations in a bid to further emphasise its standing as a town — and regional — landmark.
The hotel, also known fondly as ‘Purvies’ in honour of long-time former owners, was built in the 1920s.
Now under new ownership, it is the only hotel in Pakenham’s central business district.
Cardinia Shire councillors on Monday approved plans for a redevelopment that they said was exciting for Pakenham.
“This is a historic building, 80 years old,” Cr Graeme Legge said.
“It is a building of regional significance and was the town’s largest building for a long time.
“The alterations proposed are sympathetic to the original. This move for change is rather exciting.”
Renovation plans include:
Extending the bistro to include an outdoor decking, increasing seating capacity by an extra 80 seats;
Relocating the bottle shop alongside the train line;
Modifying the beer garden;
Building a 38-space car park.
The renovation will more than double the size of the bistro and breathe new life into other areas of the Spanish-styled building.
Brendan Theobald and John O’Halloran took over the hotel late last year from Bryan and Antoinette Cunningham.
Mr Theobald welcomed the council’s decision.
Councillors’ approval of the redevelopment was unanimous.
Cr Brett Owen said the Main Street hotel was a Pakenham icon.
“There is no doubt about that,” he said.
Cr Kate Lempriere spoke in favour of the plan but expressed some concern that the redevelopment would slightly reduce car-parking in the area.
Car parking has been a major issue of debate around the council table in recent times.
Cr Lempriere pointed out that some councillors had spoken against car-parking reductions for other proposals but supported the pub redevelopment.
Cr Owen said he believed the car-parking arrangements were adequate. He said two car spaces would be created in Main Street and one space in Drake Place would be lost as a result of the renovations.
Cr Owen said the hotel had previously contributed financially to the development of an off-site carpark and had “paid their way”.