HORSHAM'S Royal Hotel's new owners kicked off their tenure in style, serving dinner to actors Hugo Weaving and Gyton Grantley.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The duo are in the city filming The Dressmaker and visited the hotel with members of the movie crew this week.
The hotel's long-time publicans Brendan and Kaye Smith sold the business to Jan-Maree Bennett and her son Reggie Bennett.
Ms Bennett said she had always wanted to own a business and was looking forward to working with her son.
"I've been in Horsham all my life and was brought up with a lot of people around our house so I'm always happy when entertaining," she said.
Ms Bennett said she had worked in the disability sector for about 13 years before deciding to try something different.
"I think my experience from my previous work will help in my new job," she said.
Mr Bennett said he was looking forward to the job and working with his mum.
"She talks a bit too much sometimes and will probably do my head in a bit but I think we'll be able to make it work," he said.
The new owners said they would keep the current staff and had a few changes in mind but would wait until the new year to make them.
Mr Smith said he was the longest-serving publican in the Royal Hotel's history.
"I've been here for 15 years and I think the previous record was about 12 and a half years," he said.
"I've made many lifelong friends here over years as the publican."
Mr Smith said he had invested a lot of energy into the business.
"You get consumed by the business - it isn't as though you can just walk away from it," he said.
"It is open seven days a week and I've spent a lot of time here, and while it has been tough it has also been very rewarding.
Mr Smith said he was looking forward to spending time with both his family and his wife's family.
"It was a bit sad when the handover was finalised but I've got to move on in life," he said.
"I'm 64 next year January and I've also had a bit of ill health this year as well."
Mr Smith said he was sure the new owners would do a good job.