Just Open: Merivale re-launches the Newport Arms

It's lunchtime on Wednesday at The Newport and Justin Hemmes is pressure hosing pavers. In fact, the Merivale chief executive isn't just pressure hosing the new-look venue (previously known as the Newport Arms) ahead of its Good Friday relaunch at midday, he's potting palm trees, landscaping cacti and laying down beams of lumber. It's all hands on all decks.

"It'll be a miracle if we get everything completed by the opening," says Hemmes, who purchased the northern beaches' most iconic waterside hotel 12 months ago for a price believed to be close to $50 million.

The Merivale hospitality emperor is no rookie when it comes to hotel openings, though, and locals can likely expect the pub to be in its shiny new element over the long weekend. The sun-dappled courtyard features a games area, burger shack, juice bar, seafood stand (important for Good Friday fish) and pizzeria helmed by Vincenzo Biondini – the margherita master from Merivale's other superpub, Coogee Pavilion. There's also a petting zoo on Saturday and an Easter egg hunt with real-life bunnies on Sunday.

For most locals visiting The Newport, there's a high chance they'll know someone working there or who helped to build it. "We've employed almost 500 locals and the enthusiasm and the excitement from them is unparalleled," says Hemmes. "They've all got great history associated with the space, so they're really proud to bring it back to life."

"Community involvement has been crucial every step of the way," says Mel Holmes, a Newport local and mother-of-three employed by Merivale as community manager for the hotel. "My role is about engaging with the community to make sure they feel part of what we're building.

"We've consistently asked ourselves 'What local resources do we have, what can we harness?' and, most importantly, 'What does the community want?' That's very much the heart and soul of the establishment. It's a hub of creativity up here and we want to showcase that."

Cassi Starr operates the gluten free-focused GFCafe opposite The Newport. She also believes there is a high level of local enthusiasm for the Merivale relaunch. "I went to one of the community meetings about it," she says "The only grumbles came from older drinkers at the public bar, who wanted the beer they've always been served at the same price. Everyone else is really looking forward to it. As long as Justin doesn't put a little gluten-free stall in there, I won't have to go over and kill him."

Open Mon-Wed 10am-11pm; Thur-Sat 10am-midnight; Sun 10am-11pm. Easter trading hours: Good Friday noon-10pm; Easter Saturday noon-midnight; Easter Sunday noon-11pm; Easter Monday noon-midnight.2 Kalinya Street, Newport, 02 9254 8088, merivale.com.au/thenewport