Owner of Hutt St pub The Olivia Hotel claims he wasn’t given chance to pay the rent prior to eviction

The owner of a Hutt Street pub that was shut down claims he wasn’t given an opportunity to pay the venue’s rent before he was evicted from the building.

The owner of Hutt Street pub the Olivia Hotel claims he was “willing and able” to pay the venue’s rent before he was evicted from the building last month.

The hospitality business closed in early July, with its operators served an eviction notice for more than $9000 in unpaid rent and an additional $3300 in costs.

A notice of re-entry and termination was posted on the front door of the business on July 4 by lawyers acting for the premises’ Sydney-based landlord.

But owner Simon Schumann said that he had the “locks changed on him” before he could pay the rent by the agreed date.

“Despite being willing and able to honour my rental agreement I have had the locks changed on me at Olivia,” said Mr Schumann in a post on Instagram.

“Then, the rent for the month that I was not willing to pay due to being told I would not be able to trade, has been posted in the window as arrears.

“This is why I haven’t been able to accept money from the hundreds of people who have been offering to fund the old haunt.”

Mr Schumann declined to comment further when contacted by The Advertiser, but claimed that the landlord’s lawyers have “not engaged with him” since he lost access to the venue.

The Olivia Hotel on Hutt St in the city. Picture: Patrick McDonald

An eviction notice dated July 4, 2024, was placed on front door. Picture: Patrick McDonald

The eviction notice. Picture: Patrick McDonald

An inventory of assets seized was also attached to the notice posted on the building last month, listing items including chairs, tables and couches, a stereo system and speakers, and 60 assorted wall hangings.

Mr Schumann thanked everyone for their support, including everyone who “lost their property in the debacle and to those whose hard work has been taken down off the walls”.

“I want to thank everyone who helped me recover the personal possessions that the landlord was selling off and to all the beautiful messages of support including regulars I don’t know personally offering me work, Mi Goreng two minute noodles, canned baked beans, peace and love. My locals are on point I love you people so much,” he wrote on Instagram.

“The Olivia lives on in us so make sure you represent and I’ll see you on my next adventure.”

The lawyer acting on behalf of the landlord, was unavailable for comment.

The Olivia Hotel was opened in late 2020 by co-founders Mr Schumann and Jack Wilkes, operating as the Red Herring Group, and was described as a mix between a pub and wine bar.

Both owners had extensive hospitality careers, with Schumann having produced wine experiences for The Lane and Maxwell Wines, and Wilkes being the final bar manager at Restaurant Orana.

The address was previously home to chef Cheong Liew’s first restaurant Neddy’s and GoodLife Pizza, and is adjacent to the General Havelock pub, which is currently up for sale.