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Hurunui Hotel Reopens After Year-Long ⁤Closure

The⁤ new director of⁣ a historic Canterbury hotel that was shut for⁢ more than a year says he’s steadfast to bring the iconic site back‍ to ⁣life.

The 150-year-old Hurunui ⁣Hotel, which sits on state Highway 7 in North Canterbury, reopened on 28 November after being closed while on the market and unable to find a buyer.

Hotel director sourav Sharma has taken ⁣on the lease with plans to reinvigorate the hotel and buy it in the future.

sharma, who had worked in hospitality for about seven years and managed‍ pubs in Ashburton and Selwyn, said owning a pub had long been ⁢a goal.

“We tried a few times to look for something around this spot, but then this opportunity ⁤came ⁣across and we just couldn’t⁤ miss⁤ it,” he said.

“The frist thought when we walked ⁤in here was it’s⁣ such an⁤ iconic ⁣spot, ⁤heaps of history⁤ this place has got. It ⁢was a shame to have the ‍place shut, so we thought lets take a chance and bring it ⁣back to new life.”

The Hurunui Hotel has been serving guests sence 1868 and is the oldest continuously licensed pub ⁣in Canterbury.

The two-storey⁤ building, constructed of locally quarried limestone, holds⁣ a special place in ⁤many⁢ locals’ ⁢memories.

“Everyone I spoke to had a story about this ‍place,” Sharma said.