Will new venue The Sherwood Hotel be open in time for Christmas?

It’s the hot question that even the Molesworth Street building’s new owner John Elsley doesn’t know the answer to yet.

The venue formerly known as Tommys was bought earlier this year by two Newcastle-based brothers who have been busy renovating the inside of the former restaurant and club.

John said they should complete the internal renovations of The Sherwood Hotel in two weeks’ time, but the hold up to opening the doors is getting the liquor licencing approval.

“We’re not sure when we’ll get the ok,” John said. “Our aim was December 1, but we are disappointed we won’t make that date.

“The next meeting of Liquor and Gaming NSW is mid-December, so whether we are open by Christmas or not, we still don’t know.

“Our application is a more technical one because the previous licencees - who own Mary G’s - surrendered the liquor licence when they closed it. We had to apply for a new one back in October and it can take up to 120 days for review.”

John said the inside of the building has been completely changed, with new lights, new paint and new furniture – and the outside of the building will see new tiling as soon as John can get some busy tilers to come and do it.

“There’s also no pokies inside the venue now,” John said. “It’s a function room instead and we have a new beer garden with plants – it’s very different.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t fit the pizza oven inside, but it’s still got an Italian focus - with the menu options sitting between pub food and casual dining."

John said he has been talking to people on the street and other business owners and said everyone is excited about the potential for the new venue to bring back traffic into Molesworth Street – which has become much quieter since the 2017 floods saw many businesses on the street close.

Read more about the new business: Food, craft beer and family friendly vibes planned for CBD venue