Australian Venue Co. continues to pursue post-pandemic opportunities, taking a new venue in regional Victoria and fronting more specials to get patrons back into their pubs.
Today AVC announced its purchase of the leasehold interest in the Criterion Hotel in Yarrawonga, around three hours’ north of Melbourne.
The handsome two-storey Georgian pub sports a period parapet and old-style frontage tiles. Inside there is a public bar with TAB, and a bistro, although it is known for its outdoor dining, on the deck overlooking Lake Mulwala.
The Criterion has not reopened since the pandemic closure in early 2020.
Investing in its success, AVC is applying its mantra of encouraging local leadership to tailor venues to local community tastes, while providing the support of a centralised office, including HR, finance and marketing. Area Manager Bart Furst aims to build a team of 40 staff before re-opening, preferably locals, and is actively seeking a suitable venue manager and head chef.
AVC CEO Paul Waterson offers that the Criterion Hotel is a significant addition to the group’s growing and evolving portfolio.
“After the events of 2020, we’ve seen that people value their country pubs more than ever.
“AVC will continue to acquire hotels in locations where there is an opportunity to give these pubs a new lease on life. We let our local leaders take the reins with these projects, to make sure the result is a pub that’s for the community, by the community.”
Settlement on the Criterion Hotel is expected in early February.
Further north, the group has gone further to entice patrons back into its NSW pubs by offering to double the value of the Dine & Discover Vouchers due to be provided by the NSW state government.
Having already offered 50 per cent off all menu items at Sydney venues every day through January, when the State Government rolls out its $25 food and bev coupons in late February, the value will be doubled at AVC’s NSW bars and pubs. Customers can redeem this voucher at any time, except in conjunction with existing discounts.
“We’re grateful to the state government for supporting the hospitality and entertainment industry with this program, and we want to do our part to chip in,” says NSW state manager Jeremy Ferguson.
“We want to bring people back to work and offer more shifts for our team members, and initiatives like this go a long way towards helping businesses recover.”
The voucher bonus will be available at: Beer Deluxe Albury, Beer Deluxe Sydney, Beer Deluxe T2, Bungalow 8, Cargo, Kingsleys Woolloomooloo, Manly Wine, The Loft, The Rook, The Winery, and Untied.
