Popular waterfront venue Hello Sailor Port Macquarie closes after falling into liquidation
A popular Port Macquarie waterfront restaurant and bar has announced its closure, as liquidators warn of the grim challenges facing the hospitality sector.
Mid-North Coast
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A popular waterfront restaurant and bar has announced its closure, as liquidators warn of the grim challenges facing the hospitality sector.
Hello Sailor in Port Macquarie has confirmed the taps have been turned off at the waterfront bar and restaurant following a challenging trading period marred by increasing operating costs and rising inflation
The venue took to social media to announce the closure, prompting hundreds of messages of support from its 4000 followers.
”We started this business in the midst of Covid, battled through floods and then endured the wettest climate we’ve seen in many years,” the post stated.
“Given the majority of our business is outdoors, it was a constant battle with the weather gods.
“As owners, we hung in there and pushed through, always remaining proud of our brand and the quality of our product.
“However, for any business there comes a time when you have to weigh up the effort vs. reward and it’s safe to say, it’s someone else’s turn now.”
Ben Ismay, of insolvency firm Shaw Gidley Port Macquarie, has been appointed liquidator and said his initial investigation showed the company went into liquidation with a debt of about $500,000.
He said staff had been paid wages owed prior to the company being placed into liquidation.
Mr Ismay said the venue’s closure was indicative of the broader challenges facing the hospitality sector.
“Hospitality is now the second most common liquidation type at the moment, after construction,” he said.
”It’s an industry doing it tough with rising stock prices, people tightening belts, and costs of living increases.
“The luxury of eating out is often the first thing people cut back on.”
The venue, in its social media post, thanked the community who supported the venue including local suppliers and staff.
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