THE Empire State Hotel in Inglewood has closed “until further notice”.
Owner Steve Weavell announced his decision online Tuesday night.
“Sorry for any inconvenience to everyone. Thanks for your support,” Mr Weavell said.
His decision comes as the community makes a last surge to raise money and buy the hotel that has been for sale for the last two years.
A community meeting last week agreed to proceed to establishing a co-operative to purchase and renovate the town’s only hotel.
There have also been discussions with a potential operator for the hotel.
A full-page advertisement in today’s Loddon Herald is calling on people to make financial pledges ahead of any potential purchase.
A further community meeting is planned for next month when organisers hope to report that capital raising targets have been met.
Following the first meeting in May, pledges totalling more than $365,000 had been made.
James Nevins, organiser of the meetings, said there continued to be community support. “We now need pledges to have the doors of the pub open.”
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