New lick of paint: The Picola Hotel is open for business again.
Since the Picola Hotel reopened on November 17 after being refurbished, the historic venue has been flat out.
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The hotel’s reopening has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from locals.
The Facebook group for the hotel now has more than 1500 members, with many sharing their memories of the famous pub.
“Had my buck’s party there about 30 years ago ... I’ll pop in next time I’m over and enjoy a frothie,” Andrew Schulz said.
“I’d love to see the faces of those that bring back so many great memories that are no longer with us from that pub,” Heather Bain said.
Owner Bruce Agnew said apart from a “few hiccups”, the feedback from customers online and on location had been overwhelmingly positive.
On opening day, musician Nev Milne played live music for the hotel’s guests, reminding patrons of the previous fun times they had at the pub many years ago.
“For almost 18 years my mates and I ran a Medieval Fancy Dress Ball in the Picola Hall on the Saturday closest to Anzac Day,” Paul Huckett said.
“Everyone camped next to the footy ground, started at the pub in full fancy dress, attempted to drink the pub dry, then across to the hall for a banquet dinner and a full tilt boogie blues band.
Getting on the beers: First customers at the revamped Picola Hotel.
The region’s silo art trail has turned into a huge tourism boom, with the new Picola park a great feature for travellers. And locals have been promoting Picola in the Country Pub Camping Facebook group, that is 95,000 members strong.
Eventually Mr Agnew will install caravan bays on the property, which members of the community say will be invaluable for travellers looking for a safe spot to stop.
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