HOTELIER Robert Gayton has moved from a one-pub town to a city boasting more than 30 watering holes.
He is the new publican at the City Oval Hotel and has taken over the bar and restaurant operation from Simon Whiting, who will continue to operate the Best Western Lake Inn at the rear of the hotel.
Mr Gayton moved to Ballarat from Cobden last year with his wife, Debbie and their two sons.
At Cobden he ran Thompson's Hotel for 18 years, continuing a family tradition that lasted 98 years.
In 2002 when the town's other hotel closed down, Mr Gayton bought it, refurbished it and reopened it as the Grand Central Bed and Breakfast.
He sold the bed and breakfast operation before moving to Ballarat, but has maintained the family tradition by holding on to the freehold of Thompson's Hotel.
After moving to Ballarat last year he completed an advanced diploma in business management at the University of Ballarat and early this year he learnt through hotel broker Michael Daunt that the City Oval Hotel might be
available.
He bought the leasehold from Mr Whiting, who had extensively renovated the building in 2002.
Mr Gayton plans to promote the hotel's function room and build on the lunch trade in the bar and restaurant.
Chef Jason Cannan is devising a new menu.
Patrons can expect to see Mr Gayton on the other side of the bar. "I enjoy being behind the bar because, as my wife says, I enjoy talking too much," he said.
"Hotels are still a lot to do with hospitality and . . . talking to people."