Company behind Baralaba’s Foodworks, cafe goes into administration

The company running the Baralaba pub when it tragically burnt down just over a fortnight ago has now entered administration, forced to sell its businesses - the town’s only supermarket and cafe.

Baralaba Hotel licensee Jason Simmons.

The company running the Baralaba pub when it burnt down just over a fortnight ago has now entered administration, forced to sell its businesses - the town’s only supermarket and cafe.

It has thrown the tightknit community 150km southwest of Rockhampton “into turmoil” after staff were met by administrators at meetings.

Serca Supermarkets will also have to sell its Tieri and Woorabinda Foodworks, but because they are the only supermarkets in each town, the administrator has chosen to continue trading.

Serca Supermarkets will have to sell its Baralaba, Tieri and Woorabinda Foodworks. Sign Pic Glenn Barnes

The company will have to sell Baralaba Cafe, Foodworks Baralaba, Foodworks Woorabinda and Foodworks Tieri, which employs about 50 employees across the businesses.

A social media post in the Baralaba Township News and Info Facebook group stated they were thrown “into turmoil”.

‘Let’s pray that our Supermarket can be saved,’ the post, written by administrators, read.

‘Hopefully Woorabinda and Tieri will get a buyer too.’

The local administrators of the page did not want to speak with media about the second tragedy to hit Baralaba in weeks.

Just last month, the community of Baralaba was dealt a devastating blow after it tragically lost its historic pub to a fire.

The rural town has rallied behind the Baralaba Hotel licensee and owner of Baralaba Foodworks and cafe, Jason Simmons.

Mr Simmons chose not to comment when contacted by The Morning Bulletin.

The 95-year-old pub went up in flames in the early hours of Saturday, August 24.

The scene of a fire at the Baralaba Hotel on August 24. Picture: Aden Stokes

A Queensland Fire Department spokesman on Tuesday said investigations to determine the cause of the fire were ongoing.

There has been no suggestion of any wrongdoing or indication from authorities the fire was suspicious.

The establishment was recently listed for sale for the first time since 1981.

The freehold of the country hotel was listed for sale for the first time in more than 40 years in July.

Originally licensed on April 3, 1929 as Mclellan’s Hotel, the historic watering hole changed its name to Stewart’s Hotel on February 11, 1953 before becoming the renowned Baralaba Hotel on December 2, 1965.

The scene of a fire at the Baralaba Hotel on Saturday morning, August 24, 2024. Picture: Aden Stokes

Worrells principal Michael Beck was appointed as administrator to the company, Serca Supermarkets Pty Ltd, on September 4.

Mr Beck said the businesses would continue to trade while he assesses the viability of each one, determines whether any changes can be made to assist with their continued trading and seeks to sell them.

They have already fielded a number of inquiries from people interested in acquiring the supermarket businesses, according to Worrells.

Mr Beck said his team was working through the process to get the best outcome possible for customers, employees, creditors and the local communities.

The Baralaba Hotel freehold for sale through Knight Frank Rockhampton. Picture: Contributed

“We expect that sales will occur in due course and the businesses to continue to operate into the future albeit with new owners,” he said.

“As a matter of urgency, our team is taking the necessary steps by liaising with key suppliers and other stakeholders to ensure the businesses continue to trade in the immediate future.

“We understand the impact that the appointment may have on affected parties and the communities.

“We will continue to proactively communicate the stakeholders at each juncture of the administration.”

Worrells is calling for all creditors to lodge a proof debt through its online portal.

Originally published as Company behind Baralaba’s Foodworks, cafe goes into administration