Changing Murrurundi: Grand Old Hotel

By Des Dugan

From budding musician to barman and then hotel manager, Jules Cross is well on the way to driving Murrurundi’s grand old hotel, the Royal, back into prominence in the village.

Built in 1863, the hotel was rated in 1872: “one of the most complete establishments on the Great Northern Road.”

In those days it was the only hotel in the railway town.

Jules started his pub life at 26 years-of-age in the Kearsley Hotel on the outskirts of Cessnock in 2003 as a barman.

Before that he had tried his hand at song-writing and teaching various musical instruments.

“I came home on the first day after being a barman and said I should have been doing this a long time ago,” he told scone.com.au.

And, true to his word he has been in the pub business since then working in various pubs and roles in the Hunter district.

However, his learning curve started in the Swansea Hotel at Swansea and the Pedens Hotel in Cessnock.

“The owner, Jeff Calligan, is a very good manager and he taught me the pub game,” Jules said.

“He is still in the business and what he taught me is the model we are using for the Royal. Good food, good beer and service.”

Like most employment, it’s more of who you know than what.

Jules knew a guy who knew a guy who knew Ken, the purchaser of the Royal and from there a job notice turned into an offer to re-establish the Royal.

“Ken doesn’t need a pub, he has businesses including a wrecking yard in Newcastle, he is a wealthy man but he loves Murrurundi and he wanted this pub,” Jules said.

“And there it is going to stay. It is for his granddaughter.”

Jules is of the same ilk.

Jules, Piper and Kylie Cross steering the Royal.

He is in the process of buying a property in Quirindi – “our families will be living here.”

The Royal is Jules’ sixth pub and will be his crowning glory.

The owner Ken wants the building to be restored to its original condition and then become the best in the Valley.

“This is not going to be done up with flashy bars, mirrors and plastic,” Jules said.

However, under Jules management it is heading that way with new services, good food.

Towards this end the pub has employed Blaze, a chef who was embrangled from the Veterans Club outside Blandford.

Even on his nights off, Blaze keeps a close eye what comes out of the kitchen and if it’s not up to scratch the problem is soon rectified.

Already the menu is attracting a lot of attention from locals and visitors alike.

On the other hand Jules is coming up with the changes to give the pub atmosphere and a bit of class!