Matthews Hospitality has finalized the purchase of the iconic Art Deco pub the Sussex Hotel at Walkerville which the group says cements its commitment to serving the growing population in the inner northern and eastern suburbs of Adelaide.
Matthews Hospitality CEO Andrew Kemp said, “With apartment complexes being developed along northern suburban corridors and on the city fringe, we see a great opportunity to show the growing neighborhood our brand of hospitality.
“The Sussex Hotel is already a successful business with live entertainment, restaurant, outdoor beer garden, sports bar and gaming. We’re not going to change what local patrons know and love but we will look at how we can build on the offering.”
The Sussex Hotel was established in 1843 on an allotment of land further east along Walkerville Terrace, the first Walkerville Council meeting was held on premises. The hotel moved in 1905. It’s an original Art Deco hotel dating back to the 1930s when a number of South Australian hotels were upgraded.
The acquisition follows an expansion into wine country with the purchase of the Bentleys Hotel in Clare, and recent upgrades of other regional venues the Eyre Hotel in Whyalla and the Mt Gambier Hotel. The past year, Matthews Hospitality has also refurbished Feathers Hotel at Burnside and the Maylands Hotel.
Owned by third-generation siblings Lisa, Scott and Ward Matthews, the group now employs around 400 people across all of its venues.
This Sussex Hotel acquisition is part of Matthews Hospitality’s strategic transition and the group recently listed the Buckingham Arms for sale after the successful rezoning of the site.
“We believe it is time to consider a change in the use of the Buckingham Arms site so that it can be better utilized for the community’s needs,” said Mr Kemp.
“As part of our strategy to focus on our core business of operating hotel venues, Matthews Hospitality also successfully sold Colhurst House.”
Pictured above Andrew Kemp, Lee Cook & Ward Matthews. Photo by John Kruger.