Question mark hangs over the future of Shadows as landlord change the locks over unpaid rent
A giant question mark has been left hanging over the future of Mount Gambier’s only nightclub as the landlord of the venue changed the locks on the club owners over unpaid rent.
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The future of Mount Gambier’s only nightclub is in doubt after the owners of the venue changed the locks, one day before another South-East pub met the same fate.
Landlords for the Shadows Entertainment Complex have since posted a sign to its front door stating the current owner Grant King is owed $9000 in unpaid rent between February and March 2023.
The nightclub has been closed to the public since March 2020.
Shadows owner Dean Gentile declined to comment about the notice.
Mr King, who is also the Limestone Coast Local Health Network chair, inherited the property from his late brother John King who passed away in 2019.
Mr King declined to comment — with his lawyer John Williamson also not responding to questions from the Advertiser.
Kane Stuckey, a 15-year music veteran from Mount Gambier, has played countless gigs at the popular local nightspot.
“It's always sad to see a venue close. During Covid times, a lot of places were hit it hard, some more than others,” he said.
“Shadows has had some amazing local, national and international talent play there, but with it potentially gone for good, others will try fill its spot.”
Mr Stuckey said a standout gig for him at the venue was the 2017 Battle of the Bands, which featured an “incredible local line-up”.
“Amazing judges, amazing turn out. All the locals put on an incredible show, and the organisers did an amazing job,” he said.
Unpaid rent from the owners has also seen forced the closure of the historic Tantanoola tiger Hotel.
The embattled pub was purchased by Luke and Laura Kompo and reopened in December 2021 after it closed for 18 months during the challenges of Covid-19.
But on Tuesday, Mr Kompo revealed the pub would close again after he arrived to find a solicitor locking the doors to the iconic hotel.
“Well guys a very sad day indeed,” he said.
“I was woken this morning to a solicitor and two police officers at my door that were at the pub to change the locks. Unpaid rent is the cause.”
Mr Kompo said financial hardship meant they now had to walk away.
“Me and my family walked in the doors of this place without a cent to our name and although we walk away with not much more,” he said.
“We gave it 110 per cent everyday we were here. But at the end of the day I wasn’t good enough.”
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