EXCLUSIVE: Reports Of Annandale Hotel Redevelopment 'False'

Amid fears that the buyer of the Annandale Hotel plans to redevelop the site the real estate director overseeing the sale has confirmed to theMusic.com.au that the prospective buyer “is a publican”.

Following an article from The Daily Telegraph that claimed the hotel – an iconic piece of Sydney's live music circuit – was officially sold on Monday, Knight Frank's Director of Hotel Mike Wheatley told theMusic that the report was false.

“The hotel is close to being sold but the information in the press is wrong,” he said. “The prospective purchaser is a publican.”

It is not immediately clear if the prospective buyer plans to continue live music.

The venue has been on the market since April after administration firm Ferrier Hodgson took control from previous owners Matt and Dan Rule.

Earlier this month the venue's current booker Chris Shepherd told theMusic that gigs were booked until September and as far as he was concerned it was “business as usual”.

Leichhardt Mayor Darcy Bryne – branded the 'Annandale Mayor' – has been a staunch supporter of the venue continuing as a live music venue and has pushed for a live music precinct to be set up in the area. He told theMusic today that he wasn't sure if the claims are true, “[But] if the reports are correct, this is terrible news and a giant indictment of my predecessors in the role of Mayor, including the current member for Balmain Jamie Parker.

He said that those who voted against the hotel previously would not be forgotten in the fall-out. “If this is true primary responsibility will fall on Mr Parker and his fun police allies.”

The Mayor is still hopeful that the venue will continue to host live music – a sentiment that will be welcomed by the music industry know it has been revealed that a publican, rather than a developer, is in the box seat to take ownership.

“Any change of use at the venue will require consent from the council and I'm determined that it will be continued as a live music venue, rather than housing or anything else,” Byrne said.

UPDATE: Mayor Darcy Byrne has called theMusic.com.au to express his support for a potential publican buyer, which would “save” the venue and hopefully keep live music on the radar.

“To save the hotel is a huge triumph for music lovers in Sydney and the transformation of Parramatta Road into a live music precinct will provide huge incentives for the hotel to remain an iconic live music venue,” he said.

“Any purchaser who shares our vision will have my full support.”