A BUSINESSMAN who is behind the Ettamogah Pub says he’s determined to “move forward” from the financial difficulties that brought down his Ettamogah Pub empire.
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To prove it, Leigh O’Brien is giving the original Ettamogah Pub at Table Top a second lease of life, with an intention to reopen it by Easter.
And he plans to develop a retail village, with a supermarket, cabins, water park and shops.
“Right now is the right time,” he said.
“Albury is growing, Thurgoona is growing and heading further out here — there’s a demand for it.”
Lindsay Cooper built and opened the Ettamogah Pub, based on Ken Maynard’s cartoons in 1986.
In December, the business was transferred back to Mr O’Brien for an undisclosed sum.
The pub has been closed since May 2011 after Mr O’Brien’s companies Ettamogah Entertainment and L & D Holdings Pty Ltd were placed into liquidation.
There were unsuccessful attempts to sell it.
It was reported in 2011 that Mr O’Brien had debts of $9 million while creditors lost up to $25 million in the collapse of the empire — figures he yesterday disputed, saying he himself was owed by the liquidators.
Mr O’Brien said he put $8 million from the sale of his Brighton home into the business, as well as other assets.
“There was enough money there for everyone to be paid,” he said.
Mr O’Brien said there were no disputes about ownership of the Ettamogah brand and Ken Maynard’s associated characters, for which he bought the rights in 1994.
Mr O’Brien’s plans are subject to Albury Council’s approval but he is sure it will get off the ground, and that he can sustain it.
“My word, I’ve never been more confident,” he said.
“This place wasn’t ready to develop before, but I’ve got the pub back now and I’ve got to make it happen.”
