Morpeth’s historic River Royal Inn, which was declared unsafe after the extensive flood damage in May, may yet be saved.
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Licensee Tom Greene said engineers had examined the structural damage caused to the 159-year-old hotel by the surging floodwaters and were confident the building could be restored.
“A lot of work will be involved, but I am now more than confident this can be done,” Mr Greene said.
His optimistic forecast came as engineers were about to release their findings on the damage, so severe that it was once thought irreparable.
“When we reopen will depend on the time it takes to rebuild,” Mr Greene said.
“I would like to think this could all happen this time next year.
“I would like to see it sooner, say at Christmas, but I don’t think it would happen so early.”
Mr Greene was at the hotel when the floodwater surged into the front door and through the rooms.
“I saw the waters coming down High Street and it was nearly a metre high,” he said in May.
“I watched the water running down the stairs.
“It was nearly 30mm deep, so I opened the front door and it poured out into the street.”
Mr Greene said it was important to Maitland and the area’s history that the hotel be saved and restored to its former glory.
“It is important that we keep the River Royal Inn as it was in the days when Morpeth was a river port,” he said.
“The original part of the hotel has been here since 1828 and it was completed in 1876.
“So we want to restore it as it is. Pople don’t want a new hotel trying to look like an old one.”
He stressed that the ultimate decision about restoring the inn would depend on the engineers’ report.
The building was still unsafe and they were not allowed inside.
In the old days, footing around the brickwork was on sandstone blocks set in clay and this had been moving.
“Once this has been stabilised and we get access to it, we will be able to assess exactly what needs to be done,” Mr Greene said.
“As one of the last existing [historic] hotels in the area, it is important to all of us in Maitland that this building be restored.
“We have also spoken to the heritage officer at Maitland City Council, who supports our efforts, and we also thank our many wonderful customers for the support they have shown us.”
