Image: The Cricketers Arms Hotel is one of 22 proposed pubs to become heritage-listed. Photograph: Anna Kucera, TimeOut
by HOPE PRATT
In a bid to protect its famous pub culture and long-standing local businesses, Inner West Council has resolved to add 22 local pubs to the heritage register.
Iconic local romps such as the Livingston Hotel and the Cricketers Arms Hotel will be submitted to the NSW Government for heritage listing.
The new heritage protections ensure the selected establishments and their interiors cannot be demolished or removed.
This decision comes after 26 Inner West hotels were given heritage protection in October 2022, four years after widespread outcry about Balmain’s Town Hall Hotel, which was built in 1879 and then transformed into a gym, massage parlour and bottle shop.
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said, “In recent years, we’ve seen long-standing pubs targeted by developers for conversion to office space or residential.”
“These heritage listings will help to send a message that if you buy a long-standing pub in the Inner West, you should be prepared to operate it as a pub.”
Mayor Byrne went on to express his support for the decision as a way to help support local musicians and performers.
“Our Inner West pub culture has been the breeding ground for some of Australia’s best and most famous musicians and performers, and we want to make sure this continues into the future.”
“We are committed to preserving and nurturing the pubs of the Inner West and their unique heritage.” Major Byrne concluded.
The Council’s next step will be submitting to the NSW Government to have the pubs heritage-listed.
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