Iconic venues, Carlton Club and Windsor Castle in administration, hunting for rescue buyer

Two popular Melbourne hospitality venues have collapsed, with administrators launching an urgent sale process in a bid to find a rescue buyer.

Companies housing the Windsor Castle Hotel (pictured) and the Carlton Club have both had administrators appointed.

Two popular Melbourne hospitality venues have collapsed, with administrators launching an urgent sale process to try and find a rescue buyer.

Companies housing the Carlton Club and the Windsor Castle Hotel have both had administrators appointed, documents filed with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission show.

The Carlton Club is a multi-level restaurant, cocktail bar and nightclub located on Bourke St in Melbourne’s CBD while the Windsor Castle is a pub near Chapel St that features a dining room, beer garden and function space.

Both venues are continuing to trade during the administration process.

The Windsor Castle Hotel is located on Albert St in Windsor.

The pub features a dining room, beer garden and event space.

The Carlton Club trades in a company called Furry Meatball while the Windsor Castle business is housed in a corporate vehicle called Floss Bottom.

Cor Cordis administrators Rachel Burdett and Shaun Matthews are “urgently inviting” proposals from interested parties to acquire the business and/or assets of the two companies.

They have also invited proposals to restructure the companies through a deed of company arrangement – a deal between a business and its creditors that sets out how the affairs and assets would be dealt with.

The administrators said the sale includes all assets and equipment, ensuring a “seamless transition” for the new owner.

The Windsor Castle business is housed in a corporate vehicle called Floss Bottom.

The administrators said the sale includes all assets and equipment of the companies.

“The hospitality businesses operate from prime locations in Bourke Street, Melbourne and Windsor,” a notice posted on the Cor Cordis site says.

“Thriving businesses with a reputation of excellent service

“Fully equipped sites – the sale includes all assets and equipment, ensuring a seamless transition for the new owner

“Diverse offerings – dining, drinking, dancing and private functions.”

In a creditor meeting for the Carlton Club last week, Mr Matthews said although advertisements had been put out for the sale of the company, the director intended to submit her own proposal for a deal for creditors.

“We are continuing to work with her and her advisor in this regard,” he said.

Mr Matthews said the Carlton Club had 48 employees.

The Carlton Club in Melbourne’s CBD. Picture: Instagram

The Carlton Club is a multi-level restaurant, cocktail bar and nightclub. Picture: Instagram

Mr Matthews said the Carlton Club had 48 employees. Picture: Instagram

A separate administrator’s report says the company which houses the Carlton Club owes $1.5m to unsecured creditors, including $107,044 to the Australian Taxation Office.

A more detailed report to creditors is expected to be handed down before the end of the year.

“This report will provide further details in respect of the creditors’ options to decide the company’s future, our investigations, and an estimated outcome statement in respect of a dividend (if any),” Mr Matthews said.

Only one creditor turned up to a separate meeting for the Windsor Castle Hotel, making it invalid.

“No request to adjourn the meeting was made by any person and there was otherwise no reason to adjourn the meeting,” Mr Matthews said

The only creditor in attendance was the Australian Taxation Office, which said it was owed $571,928.

Cor Cordis has been contacted for further comment.

Carlton Club and Windsor Castle owner Tracey Lester told the Herald Sun the past few years had been “incredibly challenging” navigating the ongoing impacts of the pandemic.

“We are at the closing end of a restructuring process and I remain committed to working closely with my advisors and legal team to achieve the best possible outcomes for my team, for these much-loved, iconic Melbourne venues, and for a victory for the hospitality industry—proof that it continues to thrive in this vibrant city,” she said.