General News
8 June, 2026
MAKE THE PLEDGE
THEY have my blessing - that’s the view of publican Steve Weavell to a push for a community consortium to buy Inglewood’s only hotel. The long-time Empire State Hotel publican has been eyeing retirement after doctors warned he could be left crippled by constant hours on his feet behind the bar.
THEY have my blessing - that’s the view of publican Steve Weavell to a push for a community consortium to buy Inglewood’s only hotel.
The long-time Empire State Hotel publican has been eyeing retirement after doctors warned he could be left crippled by constant hours on his feet behind the bar.
Mr Weavell, who has had the business on the market for two years, said he was buoyed after being told the outcome of a community meeting last Friday.
More than 40 people met at Inglewood Golf Club to hear plans that would keep the hotel open with $400,000 in pledges already on the table.
The meeting was told $800,000 was needed to buy the hotel and for repairs and refurbishment of the 1873 building in Brooke Street.
James Nevins, of FP Nevins and Co, said after the meeting: “The Empire State Hotel – the last remaining pub in town – is now one step closer to a new life under new ownership.
“The hotel is an integral part of the fabric of the town and vital to its sustainability, amenity and growth.”
Mr Nevins said the meeting agreed that a local consortium be formed to purchase and run the hotel similar to community ownership models successfully seen in Lockington and Sea Lake.
“Steve is anxious to retire due to ill health, a price has been negotiated and a building inspection has taken place,” he said.
“The next step is to obtain non-binding pledges for the $800,000 needed for the project.
“Previous discussions with interested locals indicated that up to $400 000 was already on the table. But as the meeting was told, time is running out and the community needs to act quickly to avoid the call of‘Last Drinks ringing out.”
Mr Nevins said a further community meeting was expected to be held within the fortnight.
“We are now looking for more pledges - they can be as little as $1000 - from people who want to be part of this community-led future for an important business in our town,” he said.
“Our town is growing, we have a great hospital, school, supermarket and Inglewood is an important economic hub in the shire.”
Mr Weavell, who has owned and operated the hotel since 2018, said the meeting outcome was positive “for the hotel, for everyone”.
“They will be able to do things I just can’t do ... there are days I can hardly move,” he said.
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