A landmark North Queensland pub that has lost its sheen in recent years has been bought by a respected hotel operator. See why the mayor is excited.
Lees Hotel, the original Pub with No Beer in Ingham, confirmed in a social media post on Monday that it had been purchased and was being managed by “the Waymark Hotels family”.
Waymark is a medium-sized Brisbane-based hospitality business that owns pubs across regional Queensland, including The Grandview in Bowen, the Sea Breeze in Mackay and the Albatross Resort in Weipa.
Waymark, which is linked to Sydney-based integrated property group Vinta Group, has been contacted for comment.
According to LinkedIn, Waymark “works to enrich the vibrant communities that we call home”.
“We do it by setting the benchmark for authentic hospitality experiences.”
It is understood previous operators have recently been replaced by a general manager from Waymark.
The historic Lee’s Hotel in Ingham which was the venue for Slim Dusty’s famous song ‘Pub with no Beer’. Picture: Cameron Bates
The development is potentially great news for Ingham, which is currently serviced by Lees, the independently owned Hinchinbrook, Royal and Station Hotels and the boutique East Ingham Hotel owned by BWS.
There are also a number of respected hotels in the wider Hinchinbrook Shire, including the recently refurbished Lucinda Hotel Motel, as well as the in Halifax Hotel, Forrest Beach Hotel and the Channel Inn Bar and Bistro that are all for sale.
A renovated Lees Hotel on the Bruce Highway in the centre of Ingham opposite the Hinchinbrook Shire Council would revitalise the central business district.
Hinchinbrook land values have increased by an average of more than 25 per cent since 2019.
Mayor Ramon Jayo said the work the council had been doing to market the district and halt and reverse the population decline was paying dividends.
He welcomed any new investment in Lees.
“Everything is picking up. I think we have turned the corner and we are going to start a resurgence,” he said.
“We’ve got new business interests looking at us all the time and it’s all good.”
Previous operator Glenn Connell confirmed that Waymark had bought both the freehold and leasehold businesses.
He said a large hotel group investing in Ingham was “exciting news”.