The growing syndicate of Martin Short, Sean O’Hara, Jamie Malouf and Co. has acquired the large-format and highly acclaimed Moonee Beach Tavern in Coffs Harbour from Harry Barry.
The Tavern is a very large-format family-oriented local, on a huge 1.17-Ha site set back from the beach, off the Pacific Highway, exposed to local and passing traffic and flanked by a shopping and aquatic centre.
It provides a public bar, gaming room with 21 machines, function area and big screen, huge beer garden with a kids’ flying fox, play equipment, stage, miniature putt-putt golf course, rock climbing wall and a toddler’s room, plus drive-through bottleshop.
Bearing large indoor and outdoor areas, it is known for its drawcard entertainment acts and community pub atmosphere. It has found the winners podium at the AHA Awards for Excellence in 2016, 2017 and 2018, and 2019 Australian Good Food Guide.
The North Coast Hotel Group (NCHG) still holds four other pubs in the region, and reports being “delighted” with the sale outcome, looking to focus resources on its other assets.
“The sale will allow our group to invest time and energy into our other pubs, starting with renovations of both the Coramba and Hoey Moey (Coffs Harbour) venues, as well as the large-scale redevelopment of the Good Intent Hotel in Grafton,” said NCHG director Harry Barry.
The buyers are a consortium that brings together the collective experience of Short, O’Hara and Malouf. The Tavern furthers their portfolio, which already counts the Sawtell and Toormina hotels, giving them a substantial footprint in the Coffs region.
“This presented another opportunity, and we thought it would be great to keep on going,” Short told PubTIC. “When you’ve got three pubs in an area like that there are a lot of opportunities.
“It’s a high-quality asset left in good stead by the previous owner.”
Coffs Harbour has been the focus area for the group, capitalising on growth opportunities and local synergies. Construction of the Coffs Harbour bypass begins this year, increasing the draw of the region through improved accessibility and reduced travel times.
Short says they are furthering engagement with the local community, working with sporting and family groups and moving with the times. They take the reins in early July.
“This opportunity further adds to what we’ve known and loved about the town over the last five years and we’re looking forward to this next stage of growth.
“Taking on The Tavern is absolutely about our continued confidence and excitement around Coffs. It’s a great community we’ve enjoyed immersing ourselves in over recent years.”
The freehold going concern sale was managed by HTL Property’s Blake Edwards, who notes the surging interest in the NSW mid- and north coast region.
“We’re delighted to have represented Harry and the North Coast Hotel Group in what is our fifth significant Northern NSW coastal hotel sale in the past 12 months.”
