Food & Wine

Diversified industrial services firm Complete Group has expanded its North West property portfolio, acquiring the Beadon Bay Hotel in Onslow and unveiling a substantial redevelopment plan.

The launch of Western Australia’s first dedicated bourbon distillery has revealed keen interest from investors and consumers in new and fresh concepts.

Private equity players are at the heart of a second major Perth-based food franchise deal within 12 months, with Malaysian private equity firm Navis Capital Partners reacquiring a majority stake in Dome Coffees at a price estimated to be at least $50 million.

One of Perth’s small bars has been named the best metropolitan bar in Australia, while Crown Metropol Perth has taken the title of best overall accommodation hotel.

Obtaining a small bar liquor licence has become increasingly complicated and prompted some players to abandon plans to open new venues.

Charter Hall Group and hospitality industry super fund Hostplus have acquired 54 pubs and liquor stores from ALH Group, including the Hyde Park Hotel and the Dunsborough Tavern among several from Western Australia, in a sale and lease-back deal worth more than $600 million.

New small bar openings, strong demand for alternative corporate events, and a partnership with the state’s peak wine organisation has provided a fledgling Perth business with the springboard it needed to grow.

United States-based hospitality provider Delaware North is entering the resources sector for the first time, in a joint venture with Perth-based catering and accomodation group Northern Rise Holdings.

Whiskey might not yet feature prominently on Perth’s list of key attractions, but the Japanese penchant for distilled beverages led to a new venture in this field being put on the itinerary for visiting Kagoshima Mayor Hiroyuki Mori.