A bar, a few beers and a bean counter may seem like an unlikely combination but at Maitland’s Family Hotel it’s the norm lately.
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The pub, recently purchased by Bottrell Business Consultants, which also owns Maitland Taxation, has set up a unique service for its patrons, particularly those who are shift workers.
The pub is offering to do tax returns for those who can’t get to a tax agent during normal business hours.
The service, a joint initiative between the hotel and Bottrell, has been a hit.
Company marketing and events manager Hannah Jacka said a lot of the hotel’s patrons are shift workers, doctors and nurses from Maitland Hospital, which is opposite the venue, and Upper Hunter mine workers.
“There are also a lot of tradies who work in the area so they could call in, grab a drink and have their tax done,” she said.
“Since we took over the hotel we have tried to do things a little different to everyone else and this is just the start.
“We’re big on community and look at what people want not necessarily what we want. We want to make life easier for them.
“These days some people work crazy hours so we thought it would be good to offer the tax return service, which we do on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
“It started at the beginning of the financial year and will probably continue into October,” she said.
There are also a lot of tradies who work in the area so they could call in, grab a drink and have their tax done
- Family Hotel's Hannah Jacka
Online bookings can be made through the Maitland Taxation website.
“It makes it easier booking online. Patrons can just turn up and we have everything organised, returns are much more laid-back and carried out in a private room at the back of the hotel,” Hannah said.
Following the success this year, the hotel is looking at making the tax return service an annual event.
“A lot of people have seen it on The Family Hotel’s Facebook page and there has been a lot of tagging going on and a good response. Many of them think it’s a cool idea.”
But it isn’t just for the young. Hannah said a few older people have been booking in, even people with small businesses.
“It’s not just aimed at personal returns, it’s also for sole traders and small businesses as well,” Hannah said.
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