HQ employees left in the dark about Adelaide nightclub’s closure
Employees at Adelaide’s former premier nightclub say they learnt through social media that HQ Complex had closed and they had lost their jobs.
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Former HQ Complex employees say they were kept in the dark about the venue’s closure, only finding out about its demise via social media.
Workers at the nightclub, which was placed into voluntary administration on Tuesday, said they were told to dismiss rumours the party was over in the week leading up to the formal announcement.
Their shifts were cancelled on Saturday, January 11, when the club was shut and, three days later, they read on Facebook the venue had ceased trading.
At least two staff members had plans to contact the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Former employee Rachel Hosking said the club appeared to be more concerned about its public image than communicating the closure with staff.
She said many staff found out they’d lost their jobs through a public Facebook post, which she called “unethical”.
Ms Hosking said it wasn’t a standard way of dealing with employees, and that employers had obligations towards their workers.
HQ Complex was placed into voluntary administration on Tuesday after closing without warning.
The club moved from North Tce to 149 Hindley St in 2017, spending $15 million on the new, purpose-built venue.
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A director, Des Caulfield, has been contacted for comment.
More recently, the club renovated its balcony area and there were plans to build a rooftop bar.
Another former employee, Jess Buckney, said workers were disappointed with the lack of communication and “respect” from the company.
She said even before the closure popular DJs, including Will Sparks, cancelled gigs, making some staff wonder if the club was in difficulty.
“(Sparks) is a big DJ that brings in capacity crowds which brings in the money, so it’s like ‘hang on, what happened for him to cancel his remaining shows’,” Ms Buckney said.
Administrator Daniel Lopresti, of Clifton Hall, is in the early stages of reviewing HQ’s books. A creditors’ meeting is scheduled for January 24.
He said the business could be sold.
“There is obviously a unique venue there and it could be attractive to people in the entertainment industry,” Mr Lopresti said.