JDA NABS THE UNICORN
Paddington’s famous Unicorn Hotel has been sold as a restapled freehold going concern to the Feros’ JDA Hotels. Commonly known as ‘Fringe Bar’, the Unicorn is famed for its Monday night comedy acts and eastern suburbs socialite crowd, being
HURLEYS UNVEIL FULLY RENOVATED ARKABA HOTEL
Hurley Hotels has announced completion and unveiling of the new-look Arkaba Hotel, following a massive $12 million year-long renovation. Peter and Jenny Hurley’s group is a family-owned business that has been operating in South Australia for over 40 years. In
ARE YOU READY FOR GOLD AT THE OLYMPICS?
The biggest sporting event of the year is gearing up to take place in July, and now is the time for Australian venues wanting to capitalise on the activity to begin chasing Paris Olympics gold. Australian hospitality legend and Sydney
HEMMES LOCKS HORNS WITH BEEF MAGNATES OVER AN ESTABLISHMENT
Merivale is in a trademark dispute with a new Brisbane restaurant representing giant multinational Stanbroke beef, over the rights to the name Establishment. Establishment 203 opened its doors on Marshall St in Fortitude Valley on 28 November, 2023, being the
ODD CULTURE LEAVES FITZROY
Less than a year after launching its first venue in Melbourne, Odd Culture Group has announced it has on-sold the Victorian venture in the pursuit of major expansion back home. James Thorpe’s group announced the new endeavour – Odd Culture
CASH STILL KING IN THE COUNTRY
Cashless businesses are becoming more prevalent across Australia, although regional small businesses are not as eager to follow the trend. 30 per cent of Australian businesses are located in regional areas, where many require the most cost-effective method for gathering
PACE OF GROWTH TO QUICKEN UNDER PAG
Australian Venue Co is finding renewed strength under new owners PAG, and armed with a new investment chest is ratcheting up its acquisitions. In August news broke of the $1.4bn deal whereby PAG Asia Capital bought KKR’s 80 per cent
MELBOURNE OWNERS LEAVING RAILWAY IN MARIAN
Interstate investors are divesting their long-held Railway Hotel in Marian, to focus closer to home. Located 28 kilometres from Mackay Airport, the Railway is the only hotel in the town of Marian, serving around 4,200 local residents and the broader
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
