Luggate’s historic hotel has changed hands, and the new proprietor considers himself a very lucky man.

Russell Lilley said he walked into the bar a few nights ago and 30-or-so locals gave him a standing ovation.

“We cannot believe how incredible the community are,” Russell told the Wānaka App.

“They’ve opened their arms to us.”

Russell has owned the Rolly Inn in Rolleston for the past 27 years, the Dunsandel Bar and Cafe, a construction business, and about eight other businesses. 

“I’m really lucky in that every time I go to work it’s like going on holiday,” Russell said.

The 75-year-old said he tried retiring about two years ago but “couldn’t do it”.

Now he and partner Jeanette Ellis have taken on the Luggate Hotel, which Jeanette described as “a real adventure”.

As soon as a mate told Russell the Luggate Hotel was for sale he jumped in his truck and drove down from Rolleston to check it out, Jeanette said.

Former owner Rod Bowler told the Wānaka App he was on the bar when Russell arrived.

New owner Russell Lilley (left) with former owner Rod Bowler.

Rod went over and started chatting, and Russell didn’t give anything away. But by the end of the conversation Russell told him: “I’m going to buy this bloody place”.

“Rod and I are like long-lost brothers,” Russell said.

Russell is enthusiastic about completing Rod and his wife Rowena’s plans for themed accommodation at the rear of the hotel: a mini “shanty town” with six units including a barbershop, mining hut, a jail, and a sheriff’s quarters. 

Jeanette said they want to continue “Rod and Rowena’s legacy” with the outside of the pub, as well as changing the business inside: Russell wants to return the pub to how it once was, and Jeannette wants to make it “the centre of the community”.

“Where else would you find anything like this?” Russell asked.

The down-to-earth but motivated pair already have a new menu and two new chefs; a new coffee machine and a barista; and have started a courtesy van between Wānaka, Albert Town, Hāwea, and Queensberry.

Russell said he has “a lot of good ideas”, and will introduce Housie, regular meat raffles, and money on the bar on rugby nights. They are also planning a new kids’ playground in the garden on the Wānaka side of the pub. 

The hotel grounds include the Luggate General Store, which Russell and Jeanette are thinking about making a Night N Day store, although they say any signage would have to be unobtrusive and in keeping with the building’s historic status.

In the garden bar on Tuesday, one regular customer told the Wānaka App that Russell and Jeannette’s arrival was “the best thing to happen to this place in a long time”, while another said they were enjoying the hospitality.

PHOTOS: Wānaka App