Bethungra pub giveaway off to a slow start
A campaign to sell a historic pub for $100 may have gained some priceless global media attention but it has failed to gain any really serious traction among potential buyers.
The Shirley Hotel in Bethungra attracted worldwide coverage after deciding on a novel way to sell it. Rather than ask buyers to stump up its commercial value, the owners decided to post on Facebook that interested applicants can simply pay a $100 processing fee to be in the running to own the pub. The only catch is a minimum of 20,000 people need to apply. So far only 150 people have committed their $100.
Owners Robyn and Allan Cox said applications have been quite slow because of the festive period.
“We’re terrified because we’ve put a lot of energy and money into getting this up and we’re hoping the Australian public will respond,” they told the Cowra Guardian.
“We want this to be a success in order to save these old buildings from loans and getting boarded up.
“It’s not about our story anymore, it’s become a lot bigger and the conversation we started has become a question of how we can rescue these iconic buildings.”
“I am really trying to stay hopeful that we will reach our target but if we don’t, we may have to reconsider what the next option is.”
Applications for the hotel close on March 15.
Sheridan Randall, 18th January 2019
