Burleigh Barrels Brewery closes their doors due to unforeseen circumstances
New details have emerged of a Gold Coast brewery which suddenly closed its doors after just a year of trading.
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Gold Coast brewery has suddenly shut its doors after just a year of trading.
Burleigh Barrels Brewery, Distillery and Smokehouse made the shock announcement on Tuesday that it would be closing due to “circumstances beyond our control”.
“We’ve had to cease trading and shut our doors,” the venue said in a statement.
“If you have a booking, ticket or event, we will be in touch shortly to talk through options.”
The statement was plastered over their social media and website.
Their Instagram caption read: “Some sad news we’ve been hoping we wouldn’t have to share with you”.
“We’ll keep you updated as we know more.”
Pat McCarthy and Peter Trimble alongside head brewer Chris Smith opened the brewery in April 2022.
Burleigh Barrels website was registered by Mr McCarthy on behalf of CedarPoint Holdings, a company of which is the sole director and shareholder, which has previously traded as PJ’s Island.
The business name Burleigh Barrels does not appear to be registered on the Australian Business Registry.
The shopping centre where the brewery was located is owned through a company held by members of the Marer family, which bought it for $5.725m in 2007.
The shock closure of Burleigh Barrels came two months after its immediate neighbour in the centre, Freedom Float Centre, shut down citing financial difficulties in the wake of Covid.
In a Facebook post to devastated customers, the owners said they had tried to sell the business but had been unable to secure a buyer as the landlord was unwilling to sign a lease extension.
“We have left absolutely no stone unturned in trying to sell our business, engaging a business broker, and using our personal savings to keep the business operating these past few months, giving us every possible chance to hand the business over to new and passionate owners to carry on the legacy,” the June 15 post said.
“ Unfortunately, due to being declined a lease extension on our current lease, despite having an excellent rental payment history with our landlord, we lost multiple formal offers that had been made for the sale of the business as a going concern.
“ We have exhausted every possible option to keep the business alive for our valued clients and team and we are completely devastated to go out like this. This has put us into a very dire financial position and Freedom Float Centre will be forced into liquidation. ”
The company behind the float centre, which is solely directed and held by Ben Mawson of Palm Beach, went into liquidation on July 5.
A report from liquidator Travis Pullen said the float centre owed almost $400,000 to unsecured creditors, including $138,124 to Mr Mawson, $72,729 to the tax office and a $114,952 loan from NAB.
The company also has a $67,000 debt with the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority.
Neither the float centre nor the brewery space appear to have been readvertised for lease or sale.
Police were called to the premises at 9.25am on Wednesday after reports of a break-in.
A Gold Coast police spokesperson said when they arrived and spoke to the person on the premises, they concluded it was a “civil matter between two parties”.
Officers left the scene within five minutes.
The brewery doubled as a distillery and a smokehouse featuring a tap room with 24 taps, pizzas, American-style burgers and beef brisket.
Customers were distraught by the news, one suggesting they could start a petition to keep the brewery trading.
“Terrible news. Can we start a petition to keep you open,” @mcfckathryn replied to their Instagram statement.
Neighbouring brewery Currumbin Valley Beer said “ah s**t sorry to hear this”.
Another local commented “omg so sad to hear this. Such a quality establishment with good beer”.
A Facebook Marketplace advertisement titled “Closing down sale, all must go today (August 30)” was spotted the day after the announcement.
Erica Stagg created the listing which included kitchen equipment, deep fryers, fridges, commercial tables and chairs, bar tables, coolers and ovens and plants.
“All must go,” she wrote.
“Come on down for a bargain. Cash only. No transfers or pay ID.”
Mr McCarthy and Mr Trimble declined to make a comment regarding the closure.
More Coverage
Join the conversation
Simple holiday booking hack that we all forgot about
Forget about how many shopping days until Christmas, it’s time to start saving for summer holidays … and it might not be as tough as you think
Read more
First look: Inside Gold Coast’s newest Asian-inspired restaurant
The southern Gold Coast will be home to the city’s newest Asian-inspired restaurant featuring sushi, pork buns and beef dumplings. See the exclusive tour inside
Read more