Parra News January 20 2024

LOCAL NEWS
Iconic pub’s fresh new look
The near century-old Guildford Hotel is getting a much-needed makeover
ELLIE BUSBY
It’s a new chapter for the Guildford
Hotel, as the popular pub
prepares to unveil its “family-friendly”
renovations to the
community.
From a bistro and sports bar to
a cocktail bar and outdoor beer
garden, the revamped landmark
venue is hoping to broaden its
demographic with a range of new
upgrades.
As the only pub in the area, the
Guildford Hotel has been a cornerstone
of the Guildford community
for almost 100 years now.
Having long held a reputation as
a lively local spot, the new renovations
are set to transform the venue
into a family-friendly destination
where people of all ages can enjoy a
pub feed.
To be revealed in stages, the sports
bar will open in mid-February
and feature a 3m screen, which
will stream a wide selection of live
sporting events.
The cocktail lounge, which
will serve up drinks designed by
renowned mixologist and distiller
Peter Clarke, and bistro will be
An artist’s impression of the revitalised pub.
revealed in mid-April.
In a tribute to local talent and
western Sydney culture, the Guildford
Hotel has also commissioned
artist Nico Nicoson to create a
western Sydney inspired mural in
the outdoor beer garden.
Nicoson will be joined by students
from Western Sydney University’s
art faculty to complete the work
on Saturday, February 17, with the
community invited to watch the
mural being painted alongside live
entertainment.
Chris Farnon, Group Marketing
Manager, expressed his enthusiasm
over the mural, saying it encapsulates
the “spirit of Guildford”
‘The Guildford Mural’ by artist Nico Nicoson.
through art.
“The Guildford Mural is a visually
stunning homage to the multicultural
essence of western Sydney,” he
said.
“The mural is not just a painting;
it’s a story of our community, our
roots, and our shared future of
creating a safe and welcoming
venue.”
Celebrating multiculturalism,
the artwork will include symbols
like Oriental lanterns, a dancing
lion and an Arabic arched window,
alongside the native cockatoo and
eucalyptus patterns to represent the
local flora and fauna.
Local landmarks like the iconic
Lennox Bridge and the heritage-listed
Guildford Pipelines will
also feature in the mural. A soccer
player depicted mid-kick will
acknowledge Guildford’s passion
for sports.
The fresh new look for the local
pub comes as the suburb itself
undergoes a significant revitalisation
through Cumberland Council’s
Public Domain Plan for the Guildford
Town Centre.
“The excitement from Cumberland
City Council and the community
is palpable,” Farnon added.
“We’re all eagerly waiting to see
how Nico’s conversations with
locals and his understanding of our
space culminate in this magnificent
piece.”
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Tuesday, January 30, 2024 « parra news 3