Key Takeaways
- The 150-year-old Hurunui Hotel in North Canterbury has reopened after being closed for over a year
- New director Sourav Sharma has taken on the lease with plans to reinvigorate the hotel and buy it in the future
- The hotel has a rich history and holds a special place in many locals’ memories
- Sharma plans to revive the hotel in three stages, including reopening the bar and restaurant, function area, and upstairs accommodation
- The hotel’s outdoor space, including a beer garden and camping area, also has potential for development
Introduction to the Hurunui Hotel
The Hurunui Hotel, a historic landmark in North Canterbury, has been given a new lease on life after being closed for over a year. The 150-year-old hotel, which sits on State Highway 7, reopened its doors on November 28, much to the delight of the local community. The hotel’s new director, Sourav Sharma, has taken on the challenge of reviving the iconic site, with plans to not only bring it back to its former glory but also to eventually purchase the property.
The Hotel’s Rich History
The Hurunui Hotel has been serving guests since 1868 and is the oldest continuously licensed pub in Canterbury. The two-storey building, constructed of locally quarried limestone, holds a special place in many locals’ memories. Sharma, who has worked in hospitality for about seven years, was drawn to the hotel’s rich history and the opportunity to be a part of it. "Everyone I spoke to had a story about this place," he said. "Some people had their first date here, some people had their kid’s 10th birthday, you know heaps of different stories. People just love to be back here and they’re so happy that the place is back open."
Revival Plans
Sharma has planned the hotel’s revival in three stages. The initial focus was on reopening the bar and restaurant, which has already been completed. The second stage will see a function area open, capable of hosting up to 100 people with its own bar and kitchen. The final stage will be reopening the upstairs accommodation. Sharma is confident that all these things will be in progress by the middle of January. He also sees potential in the hotel’s outdoor space, which includes a beer garden with a pond and waterfall, a gazebo, and a camping area with facilities for travellers.
Community Response
The response from the community since reopening has been overwhelmingly positive, despite some teething issues. Sharma credits his family for helping him take the leap to take on the hotel. His brother, Harry, who owns several other hotels in the area, encouraged him to take on the challenge, saying "this is your legacy, either do it right or don’t do it." Sharma is determined to make the hotel a success and is reinvesting any profits back into the business, with a goal of buying the property after three years.
Future Plans
For now, Sharma is leasing the hotel, but he is committed to making it a success. He believes that the hotel’s iconic history and location on the Alpine Pacific road make it a unique and attractive destination. "Everyone has just said that the place sells itself, because of the iconic history and being on the Alpine Pacific road. To be able to open the place up meant a lot to us," he said. With its rich history, stunning outdoor space, and commitment to excellence, the Hurunui Hotel is sure to become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. As Sharma works to bring the hotel back to its former glory, the community is eagerly awaiting the next stage of its revival.