Syndicate picks up another Newcastle hotel
Ashton Waugh and Ben Lawler have bought the Cricketers Arms Hotel (pictured, top) – a few hundred metres from the Commonwealth Hotel they acquired in 2023.
The bid for 61 Bruce St, Cooks Hill, was direct – the team, in a syndicate with Ryan Haynes, approaching the owners after hearing the hotel was being offered privately, before a campaign began.
John and Lynette Hayes were the vendors, also operating the venue since 2006.
On 933 square metres at the corner of Bull St, the property derives income from a bar, bistro, gaming room and beer garden, with 11 electronic gaming machines.
The deal is understood to be worth more than $10 million.
HTL Property’s Blake Edwards was the agent (continues below).
Mr Waugh and Mr Lawler paid a speculated $25m for the Commonwealth Hotel.
That was offered by operators since 2014, Stewart Smith and Cath Antlaw.
It also has a gaming room, with 21 EGMs, and 10 unrenovated upstairs accommodation suites.
Mr Lawler co-owns Local Hospitality Group with Mr Haynes, while Mr Waugh holds his pub interests through Watering Hole Group.
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