This Month
Justin Hemmes’ $3b property empire outgrows nightlife roots
The billionaire has spent at least $900 million building a sprawling hospitality and residential empire. But there’s one business he is happy to leave in the shadows.
- Updated
- Primrose Riordan
- Exclusive
- Board shake-up
Mathieson Group says Endeavour chairman’s days are numbered
With tensions unresolved, the Mathieson camp says it is prepared to call an extraordinary general meeting if Peter Hearl does not step down.
- Carrie LaFrenz
November
Whatever happened to high-profile publican Fraser Short? No one can say
All up, the businessman has cleared some $170 million selling assets in the last year. The reason why has become a well-worn subject among fellow hoteliers.
- Larry Schlesinger
Short family sells NSW beachfront hotel for $32m
The Seabreeze Beach Hotel on the NSW Mid North Coast was sold by Ros Short, the widow of the late famed Sydney publican Warwick ‘Wog’ Short.
- Larry Schlesinger
Macquarie bows out of Jon Adgemis’ pubs roll-up
Street Talk understands the long-suffering lender has sold its entire exposure in the pub and hotel roll-up to Archibald Capital.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Debt-laden Redcape sells $51m Sydney pub to Arthur Laundy’s niece
The unlisted fund’s latest divestments include the Mount Annan Hotel near Campbelltown in south-west Sydney, bought by the Rich Lister’s niece Nicole De Angelis-Hood.
- Larry Schlesinger
Adgemis weighs Public Hospitality break-up; HK hedge fund lurks
The group has good pubs and hotels, but is saddled with high debts following a purchasing binge from Adgemis.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
London pubs lean on happy hours to lure bankers to quiet city
On too many weeknights, London’s financial district is almost empty as workers cut back amid a cost-of-living crisis that’s left UK adults spending less.
- Neil Callanan, Sabah Meddings and Giulia Morpurgo
October
Endeavour sales miss market expectations as focus switches to returns
The company’s largest investor, billionaire publican Bruce Mathieson, says revenue is in “absolute free fall”. The retailer holds its annual meeting on Tuesday.
- Simon Evans and Carrie LaFrenz
Regional pubs roll-up Harvest Hotels combines two funds; preps exit
Prospective backers are being told to think of a liquidity event within 36 months, and circa 19 per cent IRR to exit.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Bruce Mathieson pitches peace offering at Endeavour as proxies bite
The decision comes after proxy firm Ownership Matters told clients to vote against the election of Mathieson-backed candidate Bill Wavish.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
- Updated
- Retail
Pubs billionaire dealt third blow in proxy war against Wavish election
Ownership Matters told clients to vote against Bruce Mathieson’s son Bruce jnr and change agent Bill Wavish joining the Endeavour board.
- Simon Evans and Carrie LaFrenz
Jon Adgemis, Archibald Capital shout senior lenders at pubs roll-up
The duo is understood to have held meetings with prospective backers to bankroll the tilt.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
- Exclusive
- Hotels
Mystery local buyer pays $15.75m for Mornington Peninsula pub
The Dava Hotel was purchased by a cashed-up “big property owner” after 18 tenders to purchase were submitted. A big drawcard was the 1.55ha landholding.
- Larry Schlesinger
Comiskey family buys Sunshine Coast’s Imperial Hotel for $20m
Comiskey Group will add the large-format venue at Eumundi in the Noosa hinterland to its large portfolio of Queensland venues and developments.
- Larry Schlesinger
Bill Wavish outlines his Endeavour fix-it plan to investors
The former chairman of Myer and Dick Smith set out his two-part agenda in a 22-page slide deck sent to fund managers.
- Carrie LaFrenz and Simon Evans
Why the new Jacksons on George feels familiar
Creating subtle hints of the original, legendary venue in an entirely new building was the job of creative team Richards Stanisich.
- Stephen Todd
Pubs billionaire demands delay in Endeavour AGM
Pubs baron Bruce Mathieson says Endeavour Group has presided over a “chaotic” and unfair process and shareholders need more clarity.
- Simon Evans
- Updated
- Retail
Pubs giant Endeavour folds on Wavish board tilt
Major shareholder Bruce Mathieson says some good has come of the “ill winds” in the boardroom but chairman Peter Hearl’s position is now untenable.
- Updated
- Simon Evans
September
Roger Corbett backs Mathiesons, says Dan Murphy’s has ‘lost its mojo’
The former Woolworths chief executive, along with the pub billionaire, wants ex-Myer chairman Bill Wavish appointed to the board of Endeavour.
- Carrie LaFrenz
