Nambour embraces the spirit of pokies-free people’s pub
Club Hotel Namba Director Paul Harley, with chef Paramjots Singh, entertainment director Erica Page and chef Geoff Haddad at the bar.
Business Writeup: Club Hotel Namba
With over 50 years combined experience in the industry the directors behind the recently opened Club Hotel Namba were attracted by the pub’s history, its “good bones” and a presence in town that was irresistible.
And after three months’ trade the business was meeting expectations.
“We’re probably right on par where we wanted to be,” said Director Paul Harley, who is known as 'Harley'. “But our initial phase is not just measured on the dollars, but also on the number of people dining and the repeat customers coming back.
“It’s a gastro pub, if you want to call it that. It’s a pub, but essentially it’s a family restaurant environment within the pub. Because we don’t have the loud noise of gambling machines, Keno televisions, blaring music and all that.
“It’s a chance for, even three generations of a family to sit there with a bit of background music, enjoy a meal, and communicate like we used to do.”
Since opening in December last year Club Hotel Namba has served as a shining light in a street characterised more by empty shopfronts.
Harley said Nambour people had embraced the Currie Street hotel’s vision to be a big, open, family-friendly style hotel without gaming.
“The locals have given awesome support,” he said. “We’ve got regular repeat customers already. They’re booking their same table, coming back. And that’s what we’ve been trying to work on, is to just give Nambourians quality service.
“It’s all on us now to maintain the smiles, the consistency, the quality and the pricing.”
Big Plans
Harley said the hotel had plans to extend its food and entertainment offerings including Thursday Seafood Nights for $11, a Friday-Saturday supervised kids club and they’re bringing back the traditional Sunday roast with all the trimmings on a Sunday.
“We’ve had a complete revamp of the cocktail list. And then from Easter on we’re going to start looking at some solos and duos entertainment and look at some more comedy nights and a few other things.”
The pub is also planning gourmet-toastie style breakfasts and afternoon meals to cater for the 2.30pm to 5.30pm timeslot when many other food outlets close their doors.
“So that if you miss your lunch or you want to have a snack in the afternoon from Wednesday to Sunday, there’s something available,” said Harley.
Curated Plate
Club Hotel Namba is also taking part in The Curated Plate event in August. “If council give us permission to, we’re going to block off part of Mill Street. So we’ll have entertainers, buskers, food trucks, the whole lot. Like a street fair.”
Keep up to date with the Hotel at www.facebook.com/TheNamba or www.clubhotelnamba.com.au.