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Guildford Hotel reopening: old foes now friends as fire-ravaged venue restored to life

Justin BianchiniMidland Kalamunda Reporter

ENEMIES became friends in the remaking of the Guildford Hotel.

When the fire-ravaged building faced possible demolition, Save Guildford Hotel Action Group leader Jeni Hood took aim at the pub’s owners Luke and Domenic Martino, at one stage hanging an effigy of the pair.

“We were foes and now we’re friends,” Dr Hood said of the Martino brothers who labelled the restored hotel at Wednesday night’s celebratory reopening a “real tribute” to the people of Guildford.

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“I’m so delighted they pulled it off,” she said.

“It was a long journey but we stayed the course,” Domenic said.

Luke thanked his family and friends, brother Domenic, the architects and builders, The Publican Group and East Metropolitan MLC Alyssa Hayden.

MORE: Guildford Hotel opening: Premier lets down hair.

“She was my friend who decided to see me and really find out the truth,” Luke said.

“We ended up having a lot of meetings over the past eight years.

“And really she had the courage to stand up and take the flak when it was all not so rosy.”

Luke said the hotel was also a tribute to the WA community.

“She’s beautiful,” The Publican Group director Steve Garcia said.

A STORY OF PERSEVERANCE

WELL may you say that this has been a very, very long time coming but tonight this is a grand result and well worth the wait.

It’s a story about perseverance; never give up. Backs against the wall with a raging fire that destroyed this beautiful hotel. That had a massive impact on the community and ourselves.

So we are delighted tonight to be here.

–Guildford Hotel owner Luke Martino