General News
19 December, 2023
Town's Pelican has good shade again
RESTORATION work on the Pelican Hotel verandah has closely followed plans for the historic Inglewood building that former owner Scott Whitehead did not live to see finished. Debbie and Barry Pitman, who also own the adjoining former Adelphi Hotel...
RESTORATION work on the Pelican Hotel verandah has closely followed plans for the historic Inglewood building that former owner Scott Whitehead did not live to see finished.
Debbie and Barry Pitman, who also own the adjoining former Adelphi Hotel, bought the Pelican after Scott’s death more than two years ago and have seen completion of the major verandah project in the last month.
They used the skills of Scott’s builder friends who knew the intimate details of what he had planned for the building erected in 1907.
“One builder, Gavin Bake had helped tidy the place after Scott died and he knew the work that was needed,” said Debbie.
“This made things much easier for us - people who knew the building already.”
Retired builder Barry and Debbie are carrying on restoration of the hotel delicensed in 1969 inside the brick walls.
The old bar has been finished with plans for it to be leased as a cafe.
The Pelican Hotel first opened in 1860 and was also the Cobb and Co coach office for Inglewood.
Barry and Debbie said the verandah restoration was the first step in bringing the Brooke Street building back to life with a 21st century feel.
- CHRIS EARL