Winery has plans for town’s pub

Leading winery Vasse Felix has upped its stake in the region with the purchase of the Margaret River Hotel. The Paul Holmes a Court-owned wine brand Heytesbury confirmed the sale was still under settlement, with full takeover not expected until July. While details of the company’s future plans for the main street landmark were not completely finalised, Mr Holmes a Court assured locals the hotel’s popular Corner Bar would return — though a significant redevelopment could occur before then, re-imagining the hotel as a potential high-end attraction. Heytesbury has owned Vasse Felix since 1987 and was also redeveloping Watershed Wines, now rebadged as Idee Fixe, and expected to open within 12 months. “Heytesbury has a genuine belief in Margaret River as a globally relevant wine and tourism destination,” Mr Holmes a Court said.“The cultural and economic development of Margaret River town goes hand in hand with this, and a hotel of this kind will complement, not compete with the great businesses already in town.” He said the hotel would undergo a “revitalisation” which included a possible extension and a revamp of its accommodation offering. “The project aims to honour the Margaret River Hotel’s significant heritage and founder Bernard McKeown’s endeavour to ‘build a home away from home’ for locals and travellers alike, in a modern context,” he said. “Naturally, this is a large and complex process that must be completed carefully and with the appropriate heritage approvals, local Shire approvals, specialised architecture and structural engineering.” The Times understands hotel workers were told of the news last week, with the majority of positions made redundant midyear. Mr Holmes a Court declined to clarify the arrangements. Margaret River Hotel’s Rachel House confirmed the July settlement date. A worker who asked not to be named said he was concerned for colleagues employed at the hotel for almost 20 years who were facing unemployment.