Hurunui Hotel ready to lease

Press, 30 August 1986, Page 6

Hurunui Hotel ready to lease

The Hurunui Hotel can now be leased commercially, five years after local people banded together to save it.

Mr John Davison, chairman of the private company which bought the hotel in early 1981, said the turnover was now sufficient tor it to be a more viable business venture. Sharpin Brothers, Ltd, newly formed to take over the hotel, will be in control from September 1. They do not plan great changes but hope to attract more skiers, tourist buses, and local people. Richard and Judith Sharpin, and Tim and Jane Sharpin, have lived in the Culverden area for the last six years. The Sharpin brothers have been indejiendent concreting contractors on the Balmoral and Waiau irrigation schemes. The Hurunui Hotel holds one of the oldest continuous liquor licences in Canterbury. The present dates from 1868 but the original licence was issued in 1860.

In early 1981 100 people, most of whom lived in the district, decided to save the historic hotel and formed a private company.

About $200,000 was spent on restoring the hotel, including the dining and accommodation areas. There are now five bedrooms, able to take eight guests. The company has been supported by the Historic Places Trust in its efforts to retain the original character of the building.