Albany’s White Star Hotel under new management by team behind Bred Co, Emu Point Cafe and Dune Beer Co

Albany’s historic White Star Hotel has changed hands, now under the management of a trio of rising stars of the local hospitality industry. Emu Point Cafe and Dune Beer Co director Kate Marwick teamed up with Bred Co owners Rhiannon Moon and Sam Dawson to take on the management of the White Star from April 4. According to Ms Moon, the trio bring “a combined 60 years hospitality experience, and a thirst for all things food, booze and excellent service”. Ms Marwick said each member of the team would bring their own valuable experience to the management of the pub. “I think as a whole package we’re pretty good as a management team,” she said. “Our skills complement each other.” The new management plans to “renovate and reinvigorate” the White Star, highlighting the history of the hotel, which stretches back into the 19th century. Ms Marwick said the renovations would be completed in stages, with the first expected to start in mid-2022. “It’s such an iconic building and business,” she said. “We plan to put a lot of love into it, and the building is absolutely beautiful, with the heritage side of it.” The property started life as a bakehouse in the 1870s before it was licensed in 1884. Originally known as the White Hart Inn, the rebuilt and renamed White Star Hotel opened in 1910 featuring 22 bedrooms. In 2006, Tanglehead Brewing Company set up a microbrewery in the White Star. Previous part-owner David Steytler had big plans for the second-storey of the building, including recreating the original balcony and opening an upstairs function room. Some renovations went ahead, but the floor remained closed to the public. The new management team wants to work with landlord David Wee to make use of the second-storey. Ms Marwick said there were plans to create more eating and drinking spaces, as well as a function room. “It’s beautiful so eventually we’d like to get upstairs and therefore be able to go onto the verandah that was done a couple of years ago,” she said. “It’s really exciting but we don’t want to give too much away, we want people to be surprised.” Other plans for the building include moving the stage to “reignite the music scene at the White Star” with the hopes of getting big WA bands to play there, according to Ms Marwick. Renovations are expected to start in July, with the White Star to be closed for several weeks before reopening in August. “We plan to honour and highlight all of the beautiful historical features that make the White Star unique,” Ms Moon said.