New publican’s challenge

•  Erin and dad Darren Martello to stay at the pub after sale.

By Tony Scott,
July 07, 2021

Popular publican Darren Martello has sold the Bridport Hotel business but won’t be going too far from the bar any time soon.

Mr Martello has worked casually at the hotel since soon after arriving in the town in 1995, when he was recruited from Victoria to play with Scottsdale Football Club.

He also ran the local butchery for a time.

The family took over the hotel seven years ago and has continued to build its integration with the community.

“We’ve sponsored most sports clubs and get involved with community events,” Mr Martello said.

That involvement was acknowledged at last week’s Tasmanian Hospitality Association when he picked up the Premier’s award for Community service citing a coastline clean-up campaign last year and service through the height of Covid restrictions.

A roster of local footy players provided a delivery service for take away meals through the Covid period.

He intends to help new owners Justin and Rachel Artis settle in to running the hotel and continue to be available on a casual basis, but hopes there’ll be a bit more time to use the boat he’s acquired for some fishing on the bay.

Mr Artis said he intends to retain all staff including assistant manager Erin Martello.

He’s “nervous but optimistic” about taking over.

“It’s a completely new challenge for us.”

“Rachel’s been an employment services manager and I’ve been in mining throughout Australia and South East Asia.

“So hospitality is new to us but we’ll be running the pub together,” he said.

The have sold a hobby farm at Elliot in the North West to make the move after Mr Artis heard about the hotel being on the market earlier this year while exploring for gold off the Ferny Hill Road.

He has spent most of his life based in the North-West but is not a stranger to the North-East.

“My dad came from Lilydale and I used to spend a lot of my school holidays with cousin Wayne Harper around Winnaleah.”