Sydney pub owner Jon Adgemis faces ATO in Sydney while fiancee Megan MacKenzie walks Cannes red carpet

Public Hospitality have taken their pub Empire Hotel off the market and turn their attention to opening a zero-waste bar at The Norfolk.

Within the same week that Public Hospitality owner Jon Adgemis was being visited by the Australian Taxation Office, his fiancee Megan MacKenzie was walking the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival.

MacKenzie, who is an actor, has a role in Hollywood greats Richard Gere’s and Uma Thurman’s new film Oh, Canada which premiered at the prestigious French Film Festival.

MacKenzie shared photos of herself on the red carpet on May 17, saying the emotions were “indescribable.”

‘To say it’s surreal to be apart of this production is an understatement,” she said.
Her appearance at Cannes came at the same time the Australian Financial Review reported that Adgemis’ home and office was raided by tax authorities.

Megan MacKenzie in Cannes for Oh, Canada. Picture: Instagram

It comes at the same time her partner was being visited by the ATO. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Public Hospitality denied the ATO “raided” the premises, stating “this was an access visit by the ATO seeking documents that had been requested. Public missed the deadline to provide such documents.”

It comes as the hospitality group has been seeking to strike a $500m debt deal, which would see the group roll up several different existing loans across the property and operating assets of the company into one major debt package.

A spokesperson for Adgemis said MacKenzie’s work obligations are separate from Adgemis’.

“Megan has a successful acting career which requires her to travel for business events, including premieres. Megan is an independent woman with work obligations completely unrelated to her partner’s business interests,” the spokesperson said.

Empire Hotel, Annandale is no longer for sale.

In April, the pub baron put the Empire Hotel in Annandale on the market. It’s just one of 22 pubs and hotels the former KPMG investment banker has in his portfolio.

However The Daily Telegraph can reveal that the pub is no longer for sale.

“The Empire Hotel was removed from the market as Public continues a debt refinancing deal that will seek to guarantee the ongoing viability of the group,” a spokesperson said.

Public has now turned its attention to the opening of acclaimed bartender Matt Whiley’s zero-waste bar, Re at The Norfolk.

Whiley moved the bar from Eveleigh to the pub on Cleveland St where it was due to open in April.

The company has sited “construction delays” for the reason it hasn’t opened however said it would open “imminently.”

The bar’s is set to include a host of classic drinks and specialist cocktails made of redirected waste from across Public’s pubs, eateries, and bars.

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]