Collingwood’s Gasometer Hotel (‘the Gaso’) has hit the headlines again, only months after closing.
Former lessee James Martelletti has lashed out at landlord Jim Kurtulus, claiming he lost $250K in sale of the lease to the new tenant – restauranteur and chef Scott Pickett.
In a post shared on The Gaso’s Instagram and Facebook pages, which he still controls, Martelletti claimed he had been “stiffed” by his former landlord.
“The owners chose not to pay us for the trading name/domain names/social media accounts under the proviso they wouldn’t be using the name anymore,” he said in a clarifying statement on Instagram.
Martelletti wrote the post to shame the “greedy landlords”, claiming he also gave Kurtulus a “reasonable offer” from a third party to continue the business, which was subsequently refused.
The refusal, Martelletti said, led to staff redundancies, liquidation costs and a lower sale price.
Kurtulus, along with his brother John, owns several Melbourne pubs. He dismissed the claims, advising issues only arose after Martelletti requested a month-by-month lease, which was denied.
Pickett, who will not comment on the dispute between the two, purchased the leasehold after the venue closed.
The well-known chef is currently renovating the venue, with his son Harry, who intend to pay homage to the pub’s history.
Pickett owns and operates a growing list of high-end Melbourne restaurants, but says that for the Gaso he is going for a “dive bar look” and aims to keep live music, aiming to book bands such as Regurgitator and Spiderbait.
“This is no longer the Gaso, this is a cheap shady imitation who have decided to sh*t on its legacy instead of support it. Stolen not saved,” posted Martelletti.
The Gasometer Hotel first opened in 1861, and it is believed to have operated continuously up until its closure in March, playing host to stalwart bands such as The Saints and Jet.
Many venues are struggling with the increase in operating costs and skyrocketing public liability insurance, with operators and punters alike lamenting the loss of another favourite watering hole.
“One thing is certain,” Instagram user Anders Manfred wrote on the Gasometer’s last post.
“The old Gaso is gone and it will be missed. It’s a shame enough people didn’t go.
“Easy to blame a landlord but we all know the pain the Tote is going through. The best thing we can do is get out there to a gig and take a mate,” he continued.
“At least it’s not apartments.”
