Pub open again at Miling

A country pub which lay vacant for years has finally thrown open its doors after winning a long-running battle with the State's liquor licensing authorities.

Miling Hotel publican Gordon Burns, who had been facing cost blowouts as he worked to bring the 1930s-era tavern up to code, said he was thrilled the licence was granted in time for grand final day recently .

"We have had massive support from the local community," Mr Burns said. "It's given the community a hub, somewhere to go to socialise, we're very family orientated, and I believe that's one of the main differences between country and city hotels."

Mr Burns has lovingly restored the tavern, repurposing old timber floorboards to build polished fireplace mantles and the main bar.

But he faced delays after the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor required about $30,000 in works to bring the pub into line with regulatory requirements, including self-closing doors on upstairs accommodation units and tamper-proof toilet cisterns.

After having spent $800,000 in restoration work, Mr Burns wasn't sure he would have the money left for the required alterations.

"I was very surprised by the things I had to do to the pub to conform with the current regulations … very surprised," Mr Burns, who had previously run a tavern in nearby Pithara, said.

"I'm happy to do so, but I would probably say to people if they ever decide to take a project like this on to do their homework."

While minor work is still being completed on the two-storey hotel, the licence was granted in September, giving the town's cockies a watering hole and travellers a rest stop with history and style.

"Miling was dying … the hotel, has, I think, breathed a lot of life into it," Mr Burns said.