AUSTRAC’s SPOTLIGHT ON VENUES IN 2024
Under new leadership, financial crimes watchdog AUSTRAC has renewed its money laundering focus on gaming venues, noting the “billions” it believes is fed into machines by criminals. Responsible for preventing, detecting and responding to criminal abuse of the financial system,
BAYFIELDS SPOTLIGHT IN PADDINGTON
The Bayfield family is parting with their stately Light Brigade Hotel, as they head back to the beach. Standing like a sentinel at the highest point in Paddington-Woollahra since the 1880s, the three-level pub occupies a prominent position with two
SHOGROUP EXPAND BY EIGHT DRAGONS
James Wynne’s investment vehicle Shogroup has partnered with John Upham to take their first pub in Adelaide with purchase of the new Eight Dragons in redeveloped Chinatown. Shogroup and Upham have secured a 37-year lease on the new Hotel, which
EDITOR’S NOTE: THE POINTY END OF KNIFE LAWS
Amid the trial of a woman for the stabbing death of a publican in the UK, and multiple instances of high-profile knife violence in Sydney, questions around armed assault and extremism are as relevant as ever in Australia. Maidstone Crown
PUBLIC’S EMPIRE ON THE LINE
The high-profile Public Hospitality Group led by Jon Adgemis has listed the Empire Hotel in Annandale, as it strives to maintain the collection under increasing financial strain. Public (PHG) has amassed 22 pubs and hotels in Sydney and Melbourne, including
TOP PUBS MEET THE CHALLENGE FOR CHILDREN
Victorian pubs have reportedly raised over $270k this year for the Good Friday Appeal, through various fundraising activities, including the AHA (Vic) Top Pubs Challenge. The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) Victoria announced the revival of its Top Pubs Challenge in
MITCH HOTEL: A NEW LOCAL FOR THE INNER WEST
The Mitch Hotel has come to life in Alexandria heartland, as new owners Brett and Clare Davis reinvent the space into a serious good-time local. Balaclava Hotel c.1949 Originally the Balaclava Hotel, opening in 1920, the site at 50 Mitchell
REDCAPE AND GALLAGHER IN $70m SALE-SWAP
Redcape has furthered its portfolio shakeup and Gallagher Hotels has traded up, seeing sale-swap of the Criterion in Sydney and Crescent Hotel in Fairfield, in a transaction worth a combined $70 million. The high-profile sale and purchase deal reflects the
MAN BREAKS PUBS WORLD RECORD IN SYDNEY – AGAIN
A Sydney man has smashed the official world record – set in Sydney last year – for the most pubs visited in 24 hours. David Clarkson, a 69-year-old retired accountant, took the title from Harry Kooros and Jake Loiterton, who
NEW GRANTS OFFER $10m TO BELEAGUERED MUSIC VENUES
The Victorian Government recently announced two programs designed to bolster the state’s live music scene, in response to pressures of rising costs and changes in attendance following the pandemic. The programs are designed to create more paid gigs for both
