Being a publican has always been a dream for Sue Cameron-Duncan.
Oamaru's newest restaurateur has taken over the 139-year-old Criterion Hotel from former lessee Sally-Ann Donnelly, one of the town's best-known restaurateurs.
The change in tenancy of the Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust-owned 1877 landmark hotel in Tyne St came about "by accident'', Mrs Cameron-Duncan said.
"It's always been a dream of mine to own a pub,'' she said.
"It was doable, so I did it.''
Mrs Donnelly, who owns Fat Sally's Pub and Restaurant in Lower Thames St, Portside restaurant on Oamaru Harbour and runs events in the Loan and Merc building in Harbour St, was talking to her friend when the idea came up.
Mrs Cameron-Duncan, who is originally from Australia, has lived in Oamaru for the last 17 years and is already a fan of the Criterion.
She said an "exciting'' new menu was on the way but there would be no changes to the atmosphere Mrs Donnelly created.
"I like that it's still got the feel of what it was, but Sally's sort of brought it into this year.''
The combination of old and new "really appeals to me''.
"The feeling that's been created in here now, compared to what it was 10 years ago, is great - a million times better.''
"I think if it ain't broke ... Sally knows what she's doing; she's done it well, and I am happy to carry on and do that for now.
"I think, too, it's about me finding my feet. I trust that what Sally has set up is going to work.''
The Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust's new operations manager, Dr Mark Smith, said he did not have details of the deal at hand, but said "basically to anyone walking in the door the place is still open and there is still a tenant''.
The trust was satisfied with the arrangement, he said.