Business booming thanks to rail trail

It was "love at first sight" for Wedderburn Tavern owners Eric and Ngaire Leathley when they saw the 125-year-old building almost six years ago, but the couple have decided to sell and pursue other projects in the Maniototo.

Mr and Mrs Leathley, who moved to Wedderburn from Auckland in September 2004, said business had snowballed since then thanks to the Otago Central Rail Trail.

"In our first year, we had 59 people stay overnight.

"Over the past year, more than 1000 stayed, and this year is even bigger," Mr Leathley said.

In 2004, the tavern could accommodate about 10 people.

It now has capacity for about 16.

Mr and Mrs Leathley were working in the tourism and hospitality industries in Auckland when they saw a property brochure advertising the Wedderburn Tavern as being for sale.

Having considered a lifestyle change, the move to Central Otago was "fate", Mr Leathley said.

"I am originally from Dunedin and I had always wanted to come back to the South Island, being a mainlander at heart," he said.

Almost immediately, Mr and Mrs Leathley began upgrading the tavern, to cater to a growing number and change in demographic of rail-trailers.

They also wanted to stay true to the pub's country origins while choosing decor to match the exterior Central Otago schist cladding.

The couple's confidence in their business was boosted by the development of accommodation across the road, where the Duncan family established room for up to 40 people.

"We work really well together and without them we wouldn't have had the confidence to refurbish.

Wedderburn has become a destination rather than just a passing-through point - we've even had to put a coffee machine in the pub," Mr Leathley said.

The couple recently expanded their business to include rental vehicles, encouraging rail trailers to stay two nights at Wedderburn and take a break from cycling by visiting areas off the trail such as St Bathans and Naseby.

It had worked "very, very well", Mr Leathley said.

Continuous business growth meant the Leathleys had gone without a proper holiday for almost six years, which was partly responsible for their move away from the tavern.

"As much as we've loved being here and meeting fantastic people, it would be nice to be on the other side of the bar for a change," Mr Leathley said.

Whoever took ownership of the pub would continue to see growth in its business, particularly as other cycle trails were developed throughout New Zealand, he said.

"Because we're the first, we will always be what people look up to.

"There hasn't been a recession here."

rosie.manins@odt.co.nz