Family-owned Hurley Hotel Group has acquired the Barker Hotel in partnership with former Adelaide Crows player Mark Ricciuto and the business’ new general manager Sam McInnes.

It adds to Hurley’s growing portfolio of nine Adelaide hotels, which now includes the Arkaba Hotel, Hotel Royal, Marion Hotel and Torrens Arms.

The hotel is being acquired from the Fassina family who bought it in 2003 and undertook a major renovation that was completed in 2014. In 2019, the Barker won the AHA National Draught Beer Quality Award.

The Barker was originally called the Scotch Thistle Inn, and in 1846 was the second hotel to be licenced in Mount Barker.

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McInnes, who will own a share in the new acquisition when it settles in early 2025, said the Barker would complement the Hurley Group’s portfolio.

“The team are excited to be welcoming Barker Hotel to our portfolio,” McInnes said.

“Mount Barker has seen significant growth in recent years and is fast becoming South Australia’s largest city outside of Adelaide, and we are thrilled to be a part of this boosting community.

“At this stage, we have no immediate plans to dramatically change the layout or the operation of the hotel, we will focus on providing quality food, beverage, functions and gaming facilities, and continue to train and employ from the local community.”

Fassina Liquors founder Ross Fassina thanked the local community for supporting the pub while he was custodian.

“It’s been quite a ride for 21 years, but all good things come to an end,” Fassina said.

“The family would very much like to thank our hard-working staff who gave the hotel its warm inviting character.

“We are very grateful for the loyalty the staff have shown, some of which have been with the hotel since we started in 2003.

“Although it is a sad day for us, I am comforted that the Hurley Group will further develop the hotel working alongside our current staff.”