Sumner hotel renovation

Press, 16 December 1985, Page 14

Sumner hotel renovation

Work continues on extensive renovation of the Marine Tavern in Sumner. The tavern is being fully remodelled after a fire in May this year that caused $200,000 damage. The manager, Mr Neville Sutherland, said that the exterior of the building, which is about 115 years old, was being retained. A Christchurch firm of architects, Inscape, Ltd, had redesigned the interior. The renovations include a new public bar, bottle sales area, restaurant, and a res-

taurant bar. Also included are two outside bar areas at the rear of the tavern — one with a barbecue area and one attached to the restaurant. Both will be accessible from the new car-park, which can take about 60 cars. Mr Sutherland said there was now less bar area and more emphasis on the restaurant to promote family dining. Previously the tavern had catered more for young people, with bands playing there.

The restaurant will seat about 100. Landscaping has been designed by Landscape Services, Ltd, which plans to floodlight the cliff at the back of the tavern to make outside dining at night more attractive. Both outside bar areas will be cobblestoned. It was hoped that the public bar and bottlestore would be finished by Christmas, and the restaurant section open in February next year, said Mr Sutherland.