Signs are posted to say the premises have been repossessed by the mortgagees.

The heritage-listed hotel was known as McConkey’s Hotel – the Killarney of the South – until it was sold on November 25, 2003.

Since then it has traded as the Bodalla Arms Hotel under the management of several publicans.

Over the last 16 years, it has been closed on a number of occasions, in one instance suffering a huge setback after the poker machine licenses were sold by the then publican, who took advantage of a loophole in the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR) Act, that at the time linked the poker machine licence to the licensee and not the premises.

Subsequent subdivision of land that was attached to the hotel saw the hotel being sold to new owners Michelle and Nick Coric and and it reopened again in January 2015. Licensee Ms Coric and her husband had plans to turn the hotel into a family friendly venue complete with live music.

However, subsequent complaints from nearby residents about the noise levels caused by live music from the hotel caused OLGR to step in once more and ban amplified music at the hotel.

By November last year the Corics had limited their trading and during December they vacated the premises.

About two weeks ago notices were put up on all the doors of the hotel saying that the mortgagee was taking possession of the hotel.

The sign says: “Take notice that the registered owners of this property have failed to make their mortgage payments. The mortgagee is therefore by law entitled to take possession and sell the property at a mortgagee sale. No one is permitted to enter the property without the mortgagee’s written permission.  Trespassers will be prosecuted.” 

The hotel will be auctioned again in March.