Empire Hotel

Built in stone, this hotel is one of the longest standing buildings in Waimate’s main street, first open for business in the 1880s. The imposing chimneys, and ornate lantern that once hung above the front veranda, suggested a warm welcome for travellers in search of good accommodation or for those after a hearty meal and something to quench their thirst. A horse trough and hitching post outside was an added bonus.

From its early days the Empire was a gathering place for sports clubs. Plans for a new skating rink were discussed at the hotel in 1886 and from then on it became a popular meeting venue for the local Football, Cricket, Steeplechase and Hunt clubs. The hotel was the ‘favourite house’ of the Waimate Caledonian Society and for a time was known as ‘the cyclists’ hotel’ providing hospitality to celebrities arriving to compete in the classic track and road cycle races.

The hotel first opened for business in 1883 under the license of Mr. Sherwin, followed soon after by Mr. J. O’Leary whose 1891 license was for many years displayed above the public bar.

Three members of the Harris family were licensees from 1901-1912 followed by a succession of proprietors until Percival and Mrs. Stevens became the longest serving licensees, from 1926-1945. Several licensees have managed the hotel since the time of Percy Stevens and, according to licensee Olly Taylor as published in the local newspaper, life as publican (c.1950s/60s) was not always plain sailing.

Several licensees have managed the hotel since the time of Percy Stevens and, according to licensee Olly Taylor as published in the local newspaper, life as publican (c.1950s/60s) was not always plain sailing.

Some patrons were obviously quite entertaining, and then there were guests with more serious matters to contend with. At one stage visiting eye doctors were providing consultation, free of charge, for anyone experiencing a deficiency of sight and headaches, whilst when ‘Mr. Gale decided to leave town, he requested all accounts be paid at the temporary office set up in the Sample Room at the Empire Hotel’. Mr. Enoch Cutts, once working as a barber in Dunedin, died when he took an overdose of laudanum while staying at the Empire Hotel in Waimate, leaving behind a wife and several children.

Licensee W.T. Gibson also had his problems following the end of WWII

Licensees have continued to remain supportive of community sport over many years, be it via their hospitality or financially.  Plans for a new skating rink were discussed at the hotel in 1886 and from then on, the place became a popular meeting venue for the local Football, Cricket, Steeplechase and Hunt clubs. The hotel was the ‘favourite house’ of the Waimate Caledonian Society and for a time was known as ‘the cyclists’ hotel’ providing hospitality to celebrities arriving to compete in the classic track and road cycle races. The organisation and popularity of certain sporting codes has changed over time, but the support and local sponsorship continued as a feature of The Empire’s cordiality. The hotel was converted into the Empire Tavern after substantial renovations were undertaken.

In 2015 the tavern closed. The 137-year-old ‘Empire’ shut its doors. About two years later Mr Tom Sullivan bought the old two storey building on Queen Street and set about redeveloping it.

References

Papers Past: Waimate Daily Advertiser

The Timaru Herald (J. Foley: Empire Hotel, c. 2000), (Al Williams, Main Street Re-development for Waimate, February 2020)

Waimate Museum and Archives (photographs and research material)