After guiding the Criterion Hotel through COVID-19, floods and recovery, long-time managers Theresa and Craig Mann announced they will hang up their hats in April.
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The Manns took over the pub in March 2021, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, determined to deliver a “real country pub feel with traditional pub food”.
With 15 years’ experience working in small-town pubs around Australia, stepping into the Criterion felt like a natural progression for the couple.
Over five years, they built a loyal base of regulars and became well-known faces in town, but Mrs Mann said circumstances beyond their control have taken a toll.
“We were just starting to pick back up after coming out of COVID and starting to ramp back up and doing really well, and then the floods hit, and the floods have basically killed us,” she said.
Despite the devastation of the 2022 floods, the couple decided to stay on and rebuild, but when Rochester faced another near-miss in January 2024, the pressure became overwhelming.
“Craig had a mental breakdown after that,” Mrs Mann said.
“It's taken him a long time to get better, he’s still struggling, and he's had other ongoing health issues as well... as much as we don't want to leave and don't want to see it close, his health is more important.”
Built in 1880, the Criterion has long been a cornerstone of Rochester’s social life.
The venue features a bar, pool room, dining room, function space, top dining room and the town’s biggest beer garden.
Theresa and Craig Mann.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
In 2022, the Manns also opened ‘Milkshake Lane’, offering ice-cream, milkshakes and a range of lollies for children.
As they prepare to step away, the couple hopes someone will recognise the hotel’s potential and bring a fresh energy to the space.
Once they depart in April, they plan to take a well-earned break to focus on their health before travelling around Australia to support pub owners in remote communities.
Knowing the pressures of running small-town venues, Mrs Mann said they hoped to offer respite services to outback pub owners who often work seven days a week without relief.
“Initially when we took (the Criterion) over we worked seven days a week, but it was killing (us),” she said.
“After the floods... we started closing Monday, Tuesdays, but outbacks don't have that option.They've got to be open seven days a week.
“We want to offer them a cheaper option... so that they can have a break, recharge, come back refreshed and go again.”
Despite the ups and downs, the Manns said they would be sad to leave the Criterion but they hoped someone would step up to the challenge before they said their final farewell.
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