General News
14 June, 2026
Positive support emerging for pub rescue proposal
A FINAL call on a community-backed bid to keep the doors open at Inglewood’s only hotel could be made as early as next week.
A FINAL call on a community-backed bid to keep the doors open at Inglewood’s only hotel could be made as early as next week.
A second community meeting will be held on Tuesday to review pledges the community ownership model floated three weeks ago for the Empire State Hotel.
Meeting organiser James Nevins said there had been positive discussions in the community with potential backers.
“We have quite a few pledges already received and inquiries are continuing to be received,” he said.
“We’ve set a target of $400,000 to buy the business and building and it has been estimated that a similar figure will be needed to FOR renovations and restoration.”
Mr Nevins said there was strong community sentiment that the town or almost 1000 people needed its hotel.
“The Empire State is the only hotel in town and as people have said, it’s an important social hub,” he said.
Current owner Steve Weavell has given his blessing to the proposed ownership model.
Mr Weavell has had the hotel on the market for two years and wants to retire after doctors warned he could be left crippled if he continued to be on his feet for long hours.
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