After 24 years, Alice Springs publican Di Loechel says she is "relieved" and "excited" for what's next following the imminent 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 finalised 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 Lasseters hotel and casino. 

Ms Loechel said she 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. 

"We wish them every success in that, because it's great having people coming into the region who want to spend some money on it," she said. 

End of an era

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

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

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

She believes the "perception" that selling alcohol is "a bad thing for society" has worn thin. 

But 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. 

"We've met some wonderful people from every part of the globe, and we've made lifelong friends here," she said.  

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

The Iris Group has been contacted for comment.