Clancy’s Fish Pub in Dunsborough sold to new owners after 15 years

Clancy’s Fish Pub Dunsborough has announced the venue has been sold after almost 15 years in the South West. The owners made the announcement in a statement on Facebook on Monday evening and said they would be “packing the boat” on May 24. “After nearly 15 years of spreading the Clancy’s gospel of ‘fish, beer, wine, music and fun’, the fish pub team have decided to call it a day at our beautiful pub by the Cape,” it read. “Our time in the South has been truly special. We have adored playing host to locals, holiday makers, gigs, fundraisers, concerts, countless meals, beers and good times. “We can’t thank you enough for accepting Clancy’s in this wonderful part of the world. “We will never forget the staff, friends, customers and community that have joined us on this epic journey. New adventures await the team but this particular pub will always live on in our hearts.” Speaking to the Busselton Dunsborough Times this week, Clancy’s Fish Pub brand ambassador Tom Fisher said distance and time were the key factors in the decision. “We’ve sold the business so it will transfer but they approached us really, it wasn’t really on the cards at first to sell but after some time thinking about it, we decided we’d go for it,” he said. “The only reason we sort of moved is to look at some new projects and the tyranny of distance a little from our home base.” Mr Fisher said the team behind the pub had loved working in the area, thanking the community and staff for their support. “We’ve definitely loved our time there. We’ve had a great 15 years, had some great music events, lots of community stuff and feel like we really left a good mark,” he said. “The decision was a little bit tough but in the end of the day we just sort of decided we might look at some new projects this way, closer to our home base. “I’d love to just thank all the staff I’ve had over the years, particularly through the tricky COVID period when staffing was pretty grim down there.” The pub — one of four Clancy’s venues and the only one in regional WA — was a mainstay in the South West, well known for its live music played each Sunday. The news came as a shock to locals, musicians and tourists, with hundreds of comments left on the social media post. “Thanks for supporting live music like you’ve done from the get go! You’ll leave a hole, I hope they fill it. Thanks for the memories and good times!” one user wrote. WA retro-futuristic, funk and disco group The Bambuseae Rhythm Section thanked the venue for its support over the years. “Oh wow! That is really sad news. Thank you so much for supporting us and all the other local original artists!” they wrote. “You gave us the opportunity to hone our craft. We have had some incredible times playing in your beautiful venue! You will be missed. Down South won’t be the same.”