Old Mangaweka pub to become shearers' village

Closed pub to become home for shearers.

The old Mangaweka pub is being transformed into village-style accommodation for shearers

New owner of the old Langholm Hotel is shearing contractor Dave Gordon and his business partner, Rewa Shearing, formerly Utiku Shearing.

Dave said the old pub had been a favourite watering hole for many years in the area.

Shearers' accommodation in the Taihape area had been a vexed issue for many years, he said.

"It's been discussed many times.''

[040717WCLFReg03.JPG] Shearing village: The old Mangaweka pub gets a village-style makeover. (PHOTO/LIN FERGUSON)

The sudden death of former owner Lyn Watson last September had meant the old pub was empty for more than six months, he said.

Plans for the new ''village-style" accommodation were now before the Rangitikei District Council, he said.

"And of course we're very keen for them to approve.''

To date the land around the hotel has been cleared and chalet-type huts, once approval has been granted, will be set in place with lawns and gardens.

"It will look good and will be attractive. It's on the main highway so we must make it look really great.''

Dave's plans are to lease out the old bar area of the pub which he said would be a fantastic small business for someone.

"And all the locals would be thrilled to have the old bar back in action. It's always very popular here.''

Nearly 40 shearers would move in at the height of the mainshear season which starts at the end of October, he said.

"There's a mountain of shearing here from Taihape through to Hunterville, it gets very busy.''

As well as Kiwi shearers there was always an overseas contingent from Britain, Spain and France, he said.

Dave's own experience over 20 years has been throughout Europe as well as New Zealand.

His love though is the Rangitikei region.

"I couldn't leave here, it's beautiful country and the greatest place to live.''

The hotel, built in the art deco style, is more than 60 years old.

"But it needs work doing. Some of the inside areas are pretty rough but we'll put it right. And there's some weird plumbing we've got to sort out as well.''