THE Port Fairy Victoria Hotel has been placed in new hands and was expected to reopen its doors next week after 17 months since its closure, to allow new and existing customers to enjoy the family-friendly venue. 

In December 2022, the property located on Bank St suddenly closed its doors and was alleged to have gone into liquidation.

Hamilton residents, Caleb and Laura Lewis bought the lease around four months ago and have given locals and tourists a new opportunity to enjoy the historic pub, which first opened in 1874. 

Mr Lewis said the pub had been extensively renovated around 20 years ago by Dunkeld Pastoral Co and was still in very good condition, however they have undertaken some upgrades for the space within the past few months.

“We’ve upgraded both bars, outdoor areas, kids’ playground, furniture, lighting and painting,” he said.

“We want it to be a family friendly, community minded hotel here for a long time to come.”

With an extensive family history in hospitality, Mr Lewis said he had spent most of his childhood at the Grand Central Hotel in Hamilton, as his father ran the hotel for 35 years. 

Mr Lewis also ran the Gordon Hotel in Portland with his brother for 10 years.

“Throughout the whole family, we’ve had plenty of hotels and hospitality places - you could say it’s in the blood,” he said.

“Providing service to the customers, it’s no rocket science – you’ve just got to provide a good service for them to come back.”

With the hotel in preparation to get the phone system sorted, the pub will be open to the public sometime next week, with locals expected to find out the opening date very soon.

“We’ve had a massive amount of support so far from the community,” Mr Lewis said.

“We welcome new and old customers, and the support from the Hamilton and greater community over the years has been (very much) appreciated.”