It usually takes decades of residency or generational legacy to be considered a true local in small country towns. But husband and wife pub owners Alex and Ashleigh Gorman fast-tracked their local status by taking over not one but two country pubs in northwest Victoria and entrenching themselves in their adopted community.
“We bought the local pub to try and become locals,” Alex says, referring to their first venture, The Lancefield Hotel, about 70 kilometres from Naarm/Melbourne in Lancefield, on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country. Arriving from New South Wales, via some time spent in Melbourne, Ashleigh adds they made sure they took a gentle approach when they took on the pub in 2022. “We didn’t do any drastic changes to the menu or pricing, we had to get to know everyone, and let them get to know us, and win them over,” she says.
Built in 1870, The Lancefield Hotel began life as Mack’s Hotel, having been transformed by publican Donald Mackay from a brick house into a public hotel. Sitting distinctively at the intersection of four main roads, the venue became a popular central destination for locals, farmers and travellers from Melbourne.
With backgrounds in hospitality and interior design respectively, Alex and Ashleigh have worked hard to ensure the pub continues its legacy as a much-loved community hub. “We wanted it to be the town’s pub, not our pub,” Alex says. The couple quickly strengthened ties with the town’s sporting clubs by becoming their major sponsor. They also run a Friday night raffle, with all proceeds going directly to a rotating assembly of local organisations, including the quilting club, the men’s shed, the cemetery trust and the historical society. “We realised they’re all critical to the town,” Alex says.
Ashleigh believes pubs play an important role in uniting residents, by being reliable and welcoming. “We’re open seven days a week—it’s a constant for everybody, so they know they can always go somewhere.” With regulars coming from both Lancefield and its nearby neighbour Romsey—a town just eight kilometres up the road—Alex and Ashleigh learned that Romsey’s lack of a pub was causing grief for residents.
“Romsey Hotel had been shut for about seven years,” Ashleigh explains. And while The Lancefield Hotel was happy to have them, the Romsey locals were feeling desperate. “They wanted somewhere to go that was just for them—they wanted their pub back,” Ashleigh says. So when the opportunity arose in 2023, Alex and Ashleigh bought the old Romsey Hotel and transformed it into The 1860 Romsey. “We thought, let’s give them what they want,” Ashleigh says. “We just listened to the community.”
As a “new old” destination for locals and day trippers alike, The 1860 was given a complete makeover. The floor layout of the 160-year-old building was rejigged, the kitchen completely upgraded and the whole building rewired. Ashleigh’s design background enabled her to carefully fit out the interior, and the result is a warm and welcoming modern pub, bar and restaurant that retains its historic character. Locals have lapped it up. “Because everyone had seen and understood what we were doing with The Lancefield Hotel, they backed us… and they’ve been extremely supportive of us, it’s been wonderful,” Ashleigh says.
The townsfolk of Lancefield and Romsey, along with a stream of eager visitors from out of town, are now spoiled for choice when it comes to enjoying a refreshing beverage and some good pub grub. Ashleigh says they’re very different pubs, each with their own vibe. “The menus are different and the wine lists are different,” Ashleigh explains. But she says they share the same philosophy when it comes to food and wine. “We’ve got really talented chefs who work with seasonal produce to create specials, and they’re always listening to the customers about what they want.”
Both pubs make use of local produce, including meat, vegetables and wine. New seasonal menus are about to be launched for spring and summer, with more seafood and other fresh offerings. But the pub classics will always remain on both menus. “The parma is our highest seller by a long way,” Alex says with a laugh. “Our ribs are also really popular, and we’re known for our good quality steaks.”
And it’s not all about the food. Both pubs offer events that get people together, including trivia nights and bingo. “We also host creative workshops and paint and sips, and the pub to pub run,” Ashleigh says. “People are screaming out for something to do that’s local.”
The couple are quick to give credit for the success of both pubs to the locals, particularly in Romsey where a pub was so sorely missed. “They’re locals’ hotels,” Alex says. “We’re just the caretakers, looking after them for the next generation.”
The Specifics:
What: 1860 Romsey
Where: 119 Main Street, Romsey
For more information, head to the 1860 Romsey website.
