CONSTRUCTION has commenced on a major building extension at Moree Services Club, with the slab for a new drive-through bottle-shop poured last week.

Club board chairman Garry Maidens said Moree builder Bernie Gartshore and local sub-contractors will construct the new extension on the western side of the club.

“We’re using local builders, employing local blokes, and building the bottle-shop for club members, the people of Moree, and visitors to the town,” Mr Maidens said.

“The club saw this as an opportunity to expand business and, importantly, the money will stay in Moree and be used in Moree.

“We’ll be able to allocate more money to local groups and sporting bodies through our club grants program,” he said.

(from left) Moree Services Club chairman Garry Maidens, and board directors Michael Ivanov and Malcolm Smith at the newly-poured slab. A drive-through bottle-shop will be constructed at the site.

The $2 million investment, incorporating a Bottlemart franchise, will take about three months to complete.

“Without any hold-ups, we’re hoping to be open around September – well in time for Christmas,” Mr Maidens said.

“Customers will drive in from Albert Street and out through the western side of the club – do a full loop.

“There will be two lanes, including an express lane, and staff will offer driveway assistance.

“The bottle-shop will also be ideal for guests staying at the motel. They can make purchases and charge them back to their room,” he said.

“There will also be a generator installed, similar to the one at the Albert Motel. If there are any power outages, it will be business as usual.”

Bottlemart, with more than 700 member stores nationwide, is one of Australia’s leading independent liquor retailers.

Established in 1977, Bottlemart operates under the Liquor Marketing Group and offers a wide range of beer, wine and spirits.

Liquor Marketing Group is one of Australia’s leading groups in the sector and represents more than 1400 independent operators in the $17.5 billion Australian retail packaged liquor sector.

“They’re on board,” Mr Maidens said.

“They’ll fit everything out, the way they want it, and Moree will get all the specials and promotions they have to offer.

“There will be regular advertising, and we’ll possibly be able to give club member discounts on special promotions,” he said.

Moree Services Club, with more than 5000 members, was established in 1947 in the Frome Street building now occupied by TAFE NSW.

The club has been in its current location on Albert Street since 1968 and has seen significant expansion in recent years.

The Albert Motel on the eastern side of the club – awarded the Travelers’ Choice Award by Tripadvisor in 2020, 2021 and 2022 – was built in 2006, and the ribbon was cut on the nationally-acclaimed all-weather bowling greens in 2023.

“We plan to run everything as three separate bodies – the Albert Motel, club, and bottle-shop – and will be looking for more staff as well,” Mr Maidens said.

“The bottle-shop is a major expansion for Moree Services Club, and will offer the people of Moree and visitors more choice at highly competitive prices.”