Two prominent Melbourne pubs operated by artist-turned-publican Tracey Lester – the Carlton Club in the Melbourne CBD and the Windsor Castle Hotel near Chapel Street in the inner suburbs – have collapsed, with administrators urgently seeking buyers for the businesses and their assets.

New Zealand-born Ms Lester has operated both businesses under leasehold agreements with private owners for more than 20 years. Major creditors include the Australian Tax Office, which has lodged claims for outstanding superannuation, and National Australian Bank. Unsecured creditors are owed about $1.5 million.