THE Brisbane-based owner of the historic Cape York Hotel in Cairns has decided not to reopen the pub and is selling it under the hammer next month.
The 86-year-old business and property goes to auction on site on August 22 at 1pm after closing its doors three months ago.
Marketing agent Danny Betros from CBRE Cairns said the owner now lived in Brisbane, had no connections to Cairns and decided it was not worthwhile reopening the business.
The hotel was leased until mid-April when leasee Gayle Scowcroft closed the doors of the pub on the corner of Bunda and Spence streets after rising costs and a two-year battle to stay afloat.
Mrs Scowcroft, who had owned and operated pubs since 1976, said the economic climate, rising rents, electricity, insurance and other costs had sounded the death knell and left her $100,000 in debt.
Mr Betros said the hotel had been shut since then and no trading figures were available.
He said the owner had recarpeted the accommodation on the second floor, refloored downstairs and given the interior a coat of paint.
Mr Betros said the sale included the liquor and gaming licences.
He said while there had been interest by some to lease the hotel, the owner had decided against it.
Mr Betros said it was an iconic property with a long history.
"It's always been a pub and while there are other commercial possibilities it is best suited as a pub," he said.
The hotel was built in 1926 and was once the heart of the city's main industrial facilities, including the railway, gasworks, brewery and wharf activities.
These industries have since been replaced by the Cairns Central shopping centre, the Cairns Hypermart bulky goods retail centre, the government office precinct, the Cairns Regional Council headquarters and various other small commercial and retail activities.
"The hotel is of typical Queensland design of two levels with a large balcony extending over the footpath," Mr Betros said.
The bars are on the ground floor with accommodation on the first level.
Construction is a mix of concrete block and classic timber in the main foyer and other areas.
The drive-through bottle shop is newer and was built in about 1995.
FACILITIES
Public bar, including a 9sqm coldroom.
Lounge bar, including a coldroom.
Beer garden and function room.
Kitchen, freezer and coldroom.
Toilets in public lounge bars.
Liquor barn and walk-in coldroom.
Covered drive through of three lanes.
Entrance foyer to first floor and office.
First floor lounge.
Two-bedroom manager's residence.
Nine single accommodation rooms.
First floor surround balcony.
Gaming lounge with 14 machines.
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