South Africa’s oldest pub up for sale – worth R12 million

South Africa’s oldest pub – the Pig & Whistle Inn – is up for sale in Bathurst.

Situated in the quaint village of Bathurst, South Africa’s oldest continuously licensed pub, dating back to 1832, the Pig & Whistle Inn is on the market, priced at R12 million (plus VAT) through Pam Golding Properties.

The sale includes all furniture, fittings, paintings, and a well-equipped commercial kitchen. Most of the existing staff came with the business from the previous owner 12 years ago, so they are likely to stay too, said Robyn Cloete, Pam Golding Properties agent in Bathurst, in the Eastern Cape.

“Sold as a lucrative going concern, and oozing character from every original exposed wooden beam, parquet flooring, wood fireplace, Victorian ball and claw bath and a stained glass door, the building began life as a blacksmith forge and is now the heartbeat of this appealing town, backed by almost two centuries of history,” she added.

Set on an erf of 1 774 sqm, the business comprises:

• A 10-bedroom hotel (four en-suite);
• Bar, restaurant, and venue/function area;
• a Manager’s loft; and
• Five rental shops and a yoga/pilates studio.

The six original bedrooms with wooden floors and wide stone walls share two family-sized bathrooms, some of which were part of the original Inn in 1832 and, together with the lounge and bar, is a Heritage Site.

The four carpeted, en-suite bedrooms include Victorian ball and claw baths, exposed beams, a coffee station, and ceiling fans.

The old stables, some of which were originally a jail or holding cell, are now outbuildings with storerooms and a yoga/pilates/multipurpose studio/venue.

The restaurant includes the lounge, dining room, pub, outside verandah and street tables, where musicians entertain on weekends, and is extremely popular among locals, visitors and residents from nearby Port Alfred, including Stenden University and 43 Air School, as well as students – and parents, from Rhodes University in Makhanda, just 40km away on a recently resurfaced tarred road.

“Bathurst is an extremely popular destination for bikers, vintage car drives, professional hunters and tourists – including visitors from Germany, UK and Holland.

“There are numerous events held during the year, such as the Bathurst Country Affair, Bathurst Agricultural Show, Christmas in July, Music at the Mill, the Solstice Piper at the Toposcape, October Fest, Book Fair, and other horse-related events,” said Cloete.

The property includes a green manicured lawn area, covered stage, swimming pool and play area for children – ideal for functions such as weddings and intimate live music concerts.

There are 50,000 litres of stored rainwater, a 5,000-litre municipal filler tank, a large solar geyser and two electric geysers, a 10kva inverter, and a 7kva backup generator.

Also, for sale as a separate transaction is the Pig & Whistle-associated 380ha game and pineapple farm (Lushington Valley Reserve) 6km outside Bathurst, which has been used for trail rides, picnics and moonlight dinners and is priced at R12.5 million.

A further fully tenanted building adjacent to the Pig & Whistle and listed as an additional, separate sale, features another five bedrooms (all en-suite), a two-bedroom cottage and two shops – one with a liquor licence – which is priced at R5.45 million (including VAT), through Pam Golding Properties.

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