RENOVATIONS to the Windermere Hotel are on hold until at least the New Year due a liquor licence issue which has caused a delay with its rebuild.
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It was hoped renovations on the former pub at the corner of Madden Road and Remembrance Drive, purchased by Ballarat's Robert Ling in March, could begin before Christmas.
However, an issue of an expired liquor licence at the site has meant Mr Ling has been forced to apply for a new licence in order to make the redevelopment at the site sustainable.
"I've been communicating with the liquor commission for some time," Mr Ling told The Courier on Thursday.
"I followed their advice to apply for a transfer of a licence as one previously existed, but there was a time limit in transferring to the licensee.
"I've spent the past six weeks waiting for their response and only two days ago I was contacted and it was suggested I apply for a new licence. I'm doing that right now, but at this stage I do not know how long that will take to be approved."
Mr Ling said subject to approval he will renovate the hotel for multiple uses.
"Unfortunately there's no point renovating if I can't get a licence," he said. "Hopefully there won't be any issues, council has already given a permit to continue the hotel.
"I'm keen for it to have a dual function and have already engaged an architect to redesign the development.
"I'd like to take advantage of the view of the farmland. Locals have told me they want a place to go to have a coffee in the morning and afternoon as well as having a drink in the evening."
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