Cats Great Corey Enright among Geelong Hotel owners evicted over rent, repairs

The embattled operators of a CBD pub have been kicked out of their own establishment a week after the business went insolvent. The eviction follows major money trouble at another venue

The doors of the Geelong Hotel were shut on Monday, May 26. Picture: Eddie Russell

The operators of the Geelong Hotel have been dramatically kicked out of their own venue after the landlord claimed they let it fall into a “f---ing horrendous” state of disrepair – a claim they strongly deny.

Last week, the landlord of 69 Yarra St retook possession of the property from tenant MD Hotel Group Pty Ltd after terminating the lease in April for alleged multiple breaches.

The company is run by former Cats premiership player Corey Enright as well as Mathew Dyer, Max McKay and Dean Trembath.

The Addy reported late last month that MD Hotel Group hit trouble at another city venue, The Inn Hotel on Corio St, which it owns and operates. The company was forced into administration after it could not pay Momentum Energy $66,000 in gas and electricity bills addressed to The Inn Hotel.

The landlord of the Geelong Hotel, who wished to remain anonymous, claims he is owed nearly $300,000 in unpaid rent and maintenance costs, including $100,000 in defect repairs.

However, the reason he slammed the doors shut was because of what he says was done to the building.

The notice posted on the front entrance of the Geelong Hotel Picture: Eddie Russell

“I wish I could show it to you; it is just f---ing horrendous,” he alleged.

“The walls are kicked in, there’s holes in the plaster … it is in such a state of disrepair.”

The landlord said he was shocked by how the establishment had been left to deteriorate.

“It’s inconceivable … you just wouldn’t think professional people would do this.”

“They’re good kids just trying to make a dollar but at the expense of … looking after the property.”

However, an MD Hotel Group representative said those comments were unfair.

“We strongly deny the landlord’s claim that the Geelong Hotel was left in a state of disrepair,” he said.

“During our tenure, we have contributed significant capital upgrading the venue, in preparation of increasing trade and optimising a sale figure.”

Co-owners Corey Enright and Mat Dyer enjoy a beer after purchasing the Geelong Hotel in 2018. Picture: Alison Wynd

The representative said a sale of the pub that had progressed “for the past few months” was proof the venue was not derelict.

“The purchasers were more than satisfied with the condition of the premises and had put that in writing from their solicitors to aid the sale.”

In 2022, Mr Enright and his associates, operating under a different entity called Lings Estate Pty Ltd, bought a 40 hectare Wallington property for $3m.

They intended the premises to be used for their wedding and events business Wallington Orchard.

However, it never took off and the land is back on the market less than three years after the purchase and the website has been taken down.

Now, MD Hotel Group is “working closely” with administrators to “get the best outcome” amid an uncertain financial future.

Originally published as Cats Great Corey Enright among Geelong Hotel owners evicted over rent, repairs