Hotelier signed; Project gathers speed

A Sydney hotel operator has signed on to operate a redeveloped Merewether Surf House. Developer Sailors' Rock and Merewether Surf House Pty Ltd finalised a 50-year lease yesterday.

Sailors' Rock, led by prominent Newcastle businessman Keith Stronach, aims to start building from August a $5 million kiosk, restaurant and function centre on the beachfront site. Newcastle City Council will demolish the derelict building from May 17 to get the project moving.

Merewether Surf House Pty Ltd will run the new establishment when it opens in late 2011. The consortium's members have industry experience as operators of North Sydney's Greenwood Hotel and Pontoon Bar at Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Harbour. They have also run several other Sydney venues.

Merewether Surf House executive director Tony Green said yesterday it was time to branch out. "This really was an opportunity to get away a bit from the pubs and bars. We just want to create an atmosphere for functions and families," he said.

Source: Newcastle Herald