Boggabri's CBD has received a face-lift thanks to more than $80,000 in drought funding.
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Seven businesses in Merton Street have been spruced up in recent weeks by Narrabri Shire Council, which received funding under the Drought Communities Program to update and repair facades and awnings in the shire.
It was a godsend for the Commercial Hotel's new owners, Britt and David Poole, who said the historic building "hadn't been given any serious love for a long time".
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Mrs Poole said the pub was "in a state of disrepair" and was "such a monumental undertaking" that they hadn't known where to start, so the opportunity to apply for the funding through the council was well and truly welcome.
"When the ladies told me I got the grant, I started crying. It was what I'd imagine it would be like winning the lotto," she said.
"It gave me the direction that I really needed to get the ball rolling and now that it is rolling, it's making it easier to make calls on what to do next."
Hopefully, with the whole town looking so much brighter, it might bring more people into town.
- Patricia Crawford, IGA manager
The Pooles had to address some structural issues before the painting could start, but now all of the work is complete and Mrs Poole "could not be happier".
"I'm over the moon ... Everyone's commenting on how fantastic it looks. People who have lived here for 40 years said it's never been painted in that time.
"The building exterior needed so much attention. I can understand why it wouldn't have been off-putting for people to enter. Now it looks so much more inviting."
Mrs Poole said they have "big plans" for the pub but in the meantime will "tick away at the main things".
"It's a beautiful building and it's got such potential," she said.
The town's IGA was also given a new lease of life with the fresh paint job complementing new signage and panelling.
Manager Patricia Crawford said the owner had already started rejuvenating the store's facade when the drought funding became available.
"It just finished it all off and made it look really spectacular," she said.
"It was good timing and we're getting very positive comments on it. Not just our shop but the pub; how good everything looks.
"Hopefully, with the whole town looking so much brighter, it might bring more people into town."
Boggabri Business and Community Progress Association's John Shaw said it had been 30 years since some of the businesses had been freshened up.
"It's certainly made a great difference and it will give a great lift to the Boggabri," he said.
"I think everyone's going to be extremely happy to have been involved in these processes."
