Matthews Hospitality Purchases the Sussex Hotel

One of South Australia’s largest family-owned hotel groups has added an iconic art deco pub to its portfolio.

Matthews Hospitality has finalised the purchase of the Sussex Hotel at Walkerville.

The acquisition cements the group’s commitment to serving the growing population in the inner northern and eastern suburbs of Adelaide.

It follows an expansion into worldrenowned wine country with the purchase of the Bentleys Hotel in Clare, and recent upgrades of other regional venues the Eyre Hotel in Whyalla and the Mt Gambier Hotel.

Matthews Hospitality is also announcing a refresh of the Feathers Hotel at Burnside which comes after the much-celebrated refurbishment of the Maylands Hotel.

Matthews Hospitality is owned by third-generation siblings Lisa, Scott and Ward Matthews. Following the purchase of the Sussex Hotel, the group now employs around 400 people across all of its venues.

These include the Salisbury, Feathers, Maylands, Eyre, Mount Gambier, Park and South Eastern Hotels.

Matthews Hospitality CEO Andrew Kemp said the latest acquisition was part of the group’s strategic transition.

“With apartment complexes being developed along northern suburban corridors and on the city fringe, we see a great opportunity to show the growing neighbourhood our brand of hospitality,” said Andrew.

“The Sussex Hotel is already a successful business with live entertainment, restaurant, outdoor beer garden, sports bar and gaming. We’re not going to change what local patrons know and love but we will look at how we can build on the offering.”

Matthews Hospitality General Manager Hospitality Lee Cook said the Sussex Hotel has been a strong supporter of the local community and an important feature of the thriving village precinct that is Walkerville.

“The establishment is well known in Adelaide’s inner north for its stunning original Art Deco design,” said Lee.

“As a group, we are firmly committed to enhancing that customer experience in a similar fashion to what has been created with the stunning success of the Maylands Hotel and Feathers Hotel in recent times.”

This acquisition is part of Matthews Hospitality’s strategic transition and follows the group listing the Buckingham Arms for sale after the successful rezoning of the site which was approved earlier in the year.

“We believe it is time to consider a change in the use of the Buckingham Arms site so that it can be better utilised for the community’s needs,” said Andrew.

“As part of our strategy to focus on our core business of operating hotel venues, Matthews Hospitality also successfully sold Colhurst House, a historic B&B in the state’s south east.

“Matthews Hospitality has a proud family history, legacy and values, and we continue to preserve and honour these qualities.

“We are looking forward to meeting the locals and serving the growing community of the inner north.”

(L-R) Matthews Hospitality CEO Andrew Kemp, General Manager of Hospitality Lee Cook and Co-owner, Ward Matthews at the Sussex Hotel. Photo: John Kruger.