Malt Shovel Taphouse shuts due to NightQuarter debt
The owner of a popular Sunshine Coast venue forced to close its doors has revealed the heartbreaking reason why they couldn’t keep trading.
Sunshine Coast
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An award-winning and much loved Sunshine Coast tap house has closed its doors, joining a string of other local venues in the region which have recently folded.
The Malt Shovel Taphouse at Stockland Birtinya issued a statement on social media last Thursday night informing patrons the venue was permanently closing its doors.
News of the closure came on the eve of a second creditors meeting to hear the findings of administrators appointed to Food Focus Australia Pty Ltd, the company behind Malt Shovel Taphouse.
Food Focus Australia had also previously traded as the popular Sunshine Coast music venue NightQuarter, which shut down late last year.
Former director of Food Focus Australia Michelle Christoe – who was director until administrators were appointed on November 28, 2022 – said the closure of Malt Shovel Taphouse was mainly due to the debt accrued by NightQuarter.
“Malt Shovel Taphouse was a profitable venue with good food, great musicians, loyal patrons and amazing staff,” Ms Christoe said.
“The issue was the venue sat under the same company as NightQuarter, due to outcomes coming out of Covid, NightQuarter lost millions in ticket sales and patrons dwindled due to reduced consumer confidence.
“We sold our home to reduce the debts however couldn’t afford to continue with the high overheads of the venue, we placed the company in voluntary administration and tried to obtain a new lease for Malt Shovel Taphouse under a separate company.
“Last week the lease proposal was not accepted so we were out of options.”
The closure marks the latest hospitality business in a string of Sunshine Coast venues to shut their doors, including Peak Wine Bar and Eleven Dive Bar, both venues were in Maroochydore.
Ms Christoe said issues regarding public transport, cost of living and the tight rental market meant she expected many more businesses to suffer in the future.
“The Sunshine Coast lacks affordable rentals and therefore doesn’t attract suitable employees into the region,” Ms Christoe said.
“I have tried getting customers Ubers to have them repeatedly cancel and then we do get one, it costs $70 for a five minute drive.
“What I would like to see happen is council support a “night-time Mayor” and comprehensive support plan for live music, festivals and events. Issues such as transport and lack of rentals/accommodation can be addressed through this plan.”
Administrators were appointed to the Food Focus Australia company on November 28 last year.
The company’s administrators, SV Partners, declined to comment on the outcome of the second creditors meeting held on Friday.
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