Winton’s Middle Pub, in Central Southland, has been bought by Auckland Hospo. Despite the pub not being on the market, owners John and Nancy McHugh thought it was time to retire. After 28 years in the hospitality trade, John said, “I’m too old now; otherwise I’d be carrying on. Customers don’t want to see old guys fumbling behind the bar.”
The McHugh’s believe that the pub “is a focal point of the community.” Reliving their years in the pub brought back many memories for the McHugh’s. “In 1991, a jug of beer was $4.80; now it’s $12.50!”
In 2016, John was inducted into the New Zealand Hospitality Hall of Fame. On top of that, he is a life member of the Hospitality NZ Southland branch as well as serving on the board of NZ Hospitality for 14 years. He has also been the chairman of Super Liquor NZ for four years.
