After 26 six years under the ownership of music lover Ian Lobb and his wife Sharon, Newcastle's cradle of live music, the iconic Lass O' Gowrie Hotel is about to change hands.
It's the hotel sale that has local music lovers holding their breath. What has the Lass O' Gowrie's new owners got in store for what is arguably Newcastle's most iconic original live music venue?
Glen Whaler, spokesman for the Hunter-based hotel group which purchased The Lass, said with confidence there would be no immediate or major changes to the hotel under the group's new ownership.
He is also the licensee of Carrington's Seven Seas Hotel, which was bought by the same group three years ago.
"The main message is that we are not changing anything. We are not taking away any of the music or changing the demographic of the hotel at all. It always will be a music venue..."
"The main message is that we are not changing anything at The Lass. We are not taking away any of the music or changing the demographic of the hotel at all. It always will be a music venue. There will still be all the same kinds of bands and events and we are certainly supportive of keeping the same patrons and demographics the hotel has always served.
"It's not unlike what we've done at The Seven Seas. We've been here for three years now and nothing has changed. It's still a grass roots local pub and that's exactly what it should be."
"It's not unlike what we've done at The Seven Seas. We've been here for three years now and nothing has changed. It's still a grass roots local pub and that's exactly what it should be..."
Glen said he and the group were well aware of the legacy Ian and Sharon had created at The Lass and had spoken with the couple at length prior to the sale taking place.
"We spoke with Ian a lot beforehand and he wanted to be sure the Lass would be in good hands," Glen said.
"We know how iconic this venue is and what it means to him and the community. We've had questions and phone calls and I know people are worried, but it's like I always tell them, nothing has changed at The Seven Seas and it won't. We know there are people who still want to go to the local suburban pub just like they always have and not see it turned into a renovated, modern venue.
"The Lass will always be The Lass. There's certainly nothing for anyone to be worried about."
"The Lass will always be The Lass. There's certainly nothing for anyone to be worried about..."
The new owners will take over in April, 2019.
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