Christchurch businessman Alan Roberts says his recent acquisition of the Strath Taieri Hotel will allow him to mix business with an interest in the Middlemarch area.
The pub is frequented by travellers on Taieri Gorge Railway excursions, people riding on the Otago Central Rail Trail, as well as by Middlemarch ‘‘locals''.
It also supplied alcohol for functions, mainly for service and sports club events, he said.
He has also bought a property adjoining the pub, and planned to develop a themed area which would reflect local heritage, the Dunstan Trail and former gold fields.
That property could also provide a venue with a stage for country and western music performances.
He was yet to complete plans for the area, or apply for a liquor licence.
The hotel employed nine staff including full-time bar manager Glenda Paul, who had worked there for the past 18 years, he said.
Mr Roberts said he had strong links to Otago, and was involved with a commercial property consortium in Dunedin about 10 years ago.
He had previous involvement with the Little River Rail Trail on Banks Peninsula, and the Steam Rail Trust in Springfield, and hoped to pursue those interests in the Middlemarch area.
He also enjoyed gold mining as a hobby, and had spent time in Central Otago ‘‘fossicking around'' old gold mining areas.
A partner in the Canterbury based Matson's Brewery, he also owns several other pubs in Canterbury.