Hunter residents, particularly those living in North Rothbury, Greta and Branxton, are welcoming the launch of the Huntlee Town Centre.
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Along with the opening of the Coles supermarket this week, hype is surrounding the building of a new tavern, which is set to be open by November.
Huntlee Tavern director Jason Gavin saying the venue will offer the community something that is needed.
"We feel that it's in high demand," Mr Gavin said.
"Huntlee town itself is somewhere where mums can go, have a coffee and kids can play."
The heart of the tavern will be the food, with the new restaurant being referred to by Mr Gavin as the 'backbone' of the hotel.
In addition, the venue will offer a courtesy bus, public bar, kids playground, a fireplace, bottleshop, TAB, plenty of car parking, and even a cafe (open seven days a week from 7am to 10am).
Asked if opening a new pub during a major pandemic was a risk, Mr Gavin happily explained that they are ahead of schedule, with the initial opening date being moved to one month earlier.
"We're hoping to be open for the Melbourne Cup, so we're pushing very hard," he added.
"The builders [Whitcon Constructions] have been fantastic. The contract date was the December 23, so we're way ahead of program.
"We will be governed by COVID at the moment so it will be 300 people capacity, which is the maximum allowed."