Railway Hotel Gunnedah named 2024 Large Business of Year for New England North West

Railway Hotel Gunnedah licensee Josh Launders has heaped praise on his staff after winning Large Business of the Year at the 2024 New England North West Business Awards.

“This hotel is not only my doing, there are 40 people here who work for me and they all work just as hard for the same reasons,” Mr Launders said.

“If I could snap my award into 40 little pieces, I’d hand a piece to each of my staff because that award is also a reflection of what they do, not just what I do as a business owner.”

The regional honours follow top claims at the 2024 Gunnedah Gala Business Awards where the hotel won Excellence in Large Business.

Mr Launders is now poised to represent his business and the Gunnedah community at the statewide, NSW Business Awards in Sydney – a feat the local proprietor could have only dreamed about.

“I was ecstatic to win the local award so I didn’t think the regional one was within grasp,” he said.

“It is really nice to receive the recognition – it’s appreciation for what’ve been doing, showing people where we’ve come from.”

Although the hotel is well placed now and lapping up the accolades, the path to success has not always been as smooth.

The business has faced its share of challenges since Mr Launders took over ownership in 2018.

With his wife heavily pregnant, he recalled taking a punt on a pub that many had already dismissed.

“Six years this place wasn’t on the radar for a lot of people,” he said.

“I had friends tell me they wouldn’t visit, it wasn’t their vibe.

“The first couple of months were tough and there wasn’t many people here.

“My daughter was born shortly after and there was a lot of big hours followed by a big stint of COVID and shutdowns.

“There was a fair bit of doubt and where [the business] was headed. But at the back end of COVID we took the time to renovate and the hotel has gone from strength-to-strength.”

Mr Launders said the regional award confirmed to him that the correct business decisions are being made.

“To get this award shows we’re on the right track working toward what the community wants,” he said.

The hotel recently completed a $100,000 upgrade of its beer tap system and plans to renovate its bathrooms and the hotel exterior as well.

Mr Launders said despite the success, there is still much work still ahead of him.

“As much as any business strives for profitability, I’m more driven by pride in my work,” he said.

“There’s still a bit more to be done.”

The New England North West Business Awards, held this year at Gunnedah Town Hall, featured winners from across the region including Glen Innes, Narrabri, Tamworth, Tingha, Uralla and Walcha.

Business NSW regional director, NENW, Diane Gray, said it was “truly inspiring” to see local operators leading the way in innovation, diversity, and community impact.

Josh and Lacie Launders at the regional awards.