Clifton’s historic pub up for sale

Imperial Hotel, Clifton 1910

CLIFTON’S landmark historic hotel, The Imperial will be auctioned by owner WIN Corporation.

The pub ceased trading in November 2003 due to a lack of passing trade when Lawrence Hargrave Drive was closed after a landslide. Sea Cliff Bridge opened two years later, but it came too late for the pub, which has remained empty since.

Colliers International will manage the sale and said the boarded-up heritage site was expected to fetch “into the millions” despite its run-down condition. WIN Corporation have indicated they no longer have a use for the building after 30 years of ownership.

The hotel was established by Alfred Broadhead in 1884 as a miners’ pub, before Reschs Brewery bought and demolished the original structure, erecting the two-storey hotel that stands today.

Wollongong City Council has approved a development application for the Imperial to trade as a hotel. It’s also zoned for residential use.

The auction will be held on-site on Saturday March 14.