Alice Springs publican Di Loechel’s sale to Iris Capital

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Alice Springs publican Di Loechel’s sale to Iris Capital

After 24 years, Alice Springs publican Di Loechel says she is relieved and excited for what's going to happen next after the sale of her two high-profile venues.

Ms Loechel, who co-owns the pubs with her husband Ray, has sold the Gap View Hotel to Australia's largest privately owned property and hospitality group, Iris Capital.

The sale of the Loechel's other pub, the Todd Tavern, will be finalized later this week.

Iris Capital is no stranger to Central Australia - the group recently splashed more than a hundred million dollars in the outback town to secure the purchase of the Lasseters hotel and casino.

Ms Loechel did not know what Iris had in mind for the future of the two venues and would not be drawn on what they paid for them, and she said she did not know what Iris had in mind.

The Loechels purchased the Todd Tavern in 1998 and the Gap View in 2007 to give them a front row seat to the Territory's complex and shifting alcohol restrictions.

It's hard because you never know what's going to come at you on a given day and what bent certain people have or who has the ear of government, she said.

Ms Loechel made a plea for publicans to be taken seriously when it came to policy, because as someone doing it she felt she knew what will and won't work.

She believes that selling alcohol is bad for society.

She said for all the heartache and all the challenges she said it had all been worthwhile and that they were happy with what they had achieved over the years.

She said we've met some wonderful people from every part of the world, and we've made lifelong friends here.

Ms Loechel said she and her husband would be leaving Alice Springs to be closer to family.

Iris Group has been contacted for comment.