Boronia House: Mosman Catering closes high tea, weddings

There are fears one of Australia’s great Victorian villas could become a beer garden after a wedding operator ended its lease citing the impact of COVID-19.

Question marks are lingering over the future of one of Sydney’s most lavish high tea and wedding venues after the long-term operator said the business was no longer viable in the post-COVID market.

Mosman Catering has pulled out of its 10-year lease to run the historic Boronia House in Mosman after hosting weddings, high teas and functions at the site since 2015.

The State Heritage listed venue, built in 1886, is owned by Mosman Council which agreed to end Mosman Catering’s lease five years early on the basis operating a function centre and tea rooms in the current market was “no longer viable”.

Boronia House has been a popular venue for weddings, functions and high tea.

The council is now planning to install exterior decking and fencing at the site in a move to provide space for outdoor dining and create “a sustainable future for the property”.

Martin Moroney, who managed weddings at Boronia until Mosman Catering’s lease ended, said business had struggled during 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions on hospitality venues.

“The major attraction was high tea and once people weren’t allowed to gather in groups and with the 4 sqm rule the whole business stopped. It was very sad,” he said.

“It was a beautiful operation and so many locals have been married there over the years – I hope it has a future as a wedding venue.”

Mosman Catering used the venue to host high teas.

Marriage celebrant Martin Moroney and John Blomfield, who owned Mosman Catering pictured at Boronia House in 2018.

The council’s plans show the proposed decking would accommodate up to 88 seats for a capacity of 110 people with approval to operate from 10am to midnight.

The proposal states the decking could be used by Hotel Mosman to the south of the site, sparking speculation among residents whether plans are similar to the hotel’s previous proposal in 2006 to operate a beer garden on Boronia’s grounds – a move that was met with opposition from locals.

A Hotel Mosman spokesman said it was aware of the proposal but has no financial interest in the current plans and is not currently considering extending its operations to Boronia.

The building is 135-years-old.

A council spokeswoman said “the most likely user would be a future lessee of Boronia” and “any use by Hotel Mosman would be as a result of a successful tender by the hotel.”

Patricia Reed, who lives next to the 135-year-old site, has raised concerns over possible future use of the building and potential impacts on its heritage value.

Ms Reed said she found out about the plans by a council letterbox drop and has called for the proposal to be publicly advertised as ‘Boronia House’, rather than under its current listing – 624 Military Rd, Mosman.

“When you see 624 Military Rd you think ‘how lovely, one of the shops is planning a garden’ without realising it’s in fact Boronia House,” she said.

Mosman Council has lodged development plans for the site.

“It’s really important the Mosman community is made aware of what will happen to the house – it’s a lovely old building and the gardens are an integral part of the site and its history.

“Do we really want to have the entrance to Mosman dominated by a car yard on one side, a car wash on the other and the grounds of Boronia House possibly desegregated by a beer garden?”

In submissions to the council, other residents have raised concerns over rubbish, traffic congestion and potential anti-social behaviour.

Resident Simon Shave said the plans could also exacerbate carparking in the area and lead to “unacceptable” noise impacts on neighbours.

Mosman Council said the proposed works have been designed to minimise impacts on the heritage value of the site.

“The development application was lodged following the receipt of probity advice to ensure that Boronia is suitable for lease while maintaining the heritage and public amenities,” the spokeswoman said.

Records show Mosman Council acquired the building in 1952 for £15,750, used it as a library until the late 1970s, before it was repurposed into a restaurant and reception centre in 1985.

The state heritage listing of the site describes the building as a rare and “excellent” example of late Victorian era villas built on the north shore.