The Commercial Hotel owner Greg Pilon and operations manager Dixie Mansell after their AHA awards nominations. Photo: GREG KEENTHE Commercial Hotel are hoping for a fairytale ending to their rags to riches story with the nomination for awards in six of the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) NSW Awards for Excellence.
New owners Greg and Kellie Pilon and Brett and Michelle Harvey gave the pub a revamp 12 months ago.
They have turned what Mr Pilon explained as the worst hotel in Dubbo to arguably the best.
"For a place like this to be nominated considering its history is great," he said.
The Commercial is nominated for Best Outdoor/Non-Enclosed Facility, Best New Redeveloped Hotel- Country, Best Restaurant- Country, Best Casual Dining Venue- Country and the Best Family-Friendly Hotel.
But the ultimate nomination was for the Overall Hotel of the Year- Country or the "logies of AHA," Mr Pilon said.
"We don't expect to fair well, but to win any of them would be phenomenal," he said.
"Even just to be nominated is a pretty big achievement and is very rewarding."
The secret to The Commercial's success comes down to its individuality, Mr Pilon said.
"We're not trying to do what everyone else does," he said.
"We're not trying to be a late trader- it's got a great vibe and people like it."
Mr Pilon said the award would be a great achievement for the pub, but to see it grow has been a reward in itself.
"We've worked really hard to change the perception of the of this place.
"It's really exceeded what we thought it would be and it doesn't seem to be slowing."
The winners will be announced at the gala awards ceremony in Darling Harbour on Monday November 24.
Source: Daily Liberal - 7th November 2014
