Community & Business
25 March, 2021
Tolga Pub Sold
Over the coming weeks, Tolga residents may see some new faces behind the bar at the Tolga pub after long term owners Steve and Laura Heslin officially sold the pub last week.
Over the coming weeks, Tolga residents may see some new faces behind the bar at the Tolga pub after long term owners Steve and Laura Heslin officially sold the pub last week.
Their last night behind the bar was on Sunday, March 21 with the Tom Hedley group officially taking control on Monday, March 23.
The Hedley group also own the Carrington Hotel in Atherton and the Red Beret in Redlynch.
The Tolga Hotel was voted best pub on the Tablelands for The Express Newspaper’s tenth birthday celebrations last year.
Steve said they had been at the pub for 10 years and had three small children and it was time for a change.
“We sold due to family and monetary reasons, and a change in direction and Tom Hedley made us an offer we couldn’t refuse.”
Before running the Tolga Hotel, the couple also ran the Albion Hotel in Normanton.
“It’s every little boy's dream to own a country pub, so we ran the first one and 10 years ago we bought the freehold here in Tolga,” Steve said.
“We are going to miss the people, but we are both looking forward to sleeping in.”
Laura said that it had been a whirlwind 10 years.
“It’s been a big part of our lives for the past 10 years; it’s been more of a lifestyle than a job,” she said.
“The highs and lows have all brought us here to a very happy ending for our little family.
“We also want to say a big thank you to all the staff and we leave you in the very capable hands with our duty manager Maddison Vit staying on as venue manager.
“Of course, a pub is only ever as good as its drinkers so cheers to our customers for their loyalty and enthusiasm for the place over the years.”
