Trustee, Beaufort Local in hands of administrators

St Georges Terrace venue The Trustee Bar & Bistro has fallen under the control of administrators, but an ownership change to keep the venue alive is a real possibility.

Cor Cordis partners Jeremy Nipps and Cliff Rocke were this week appointed voluntary administrators of Element WA, which is trustee for In Wine We Trust, the operator of both the Trustee Bar and The Beaufort Street Merchant (now trading as Beaufort Local).

Both venues are the brainchild of restaurant entrepreneur Scott Taylor, who has also been involved in hospitality venue Enrique’s School for Bullfighting in Mt Lawley, next door to Beaufort Local.

Mr Taylor's other ventures have included The Shorehouse in Swanbourne but his involvement ceased more than a year ago and the venue is owned by Kailis Hospitality Group. 

Mr Taylor is additionally a board member of non-profit Celebrate WA.

Creditors will meet next Wednesday to begin the process of determining Element’s future.

Business News understands the Trustee will continue to operate in the interim.

Mr Rocke told Business News it would be business as usual at the venue.

He said one or two parties had already expressed an interest in buying the bar.

“We’re confident of being able to do something with ... an iconic offering on the terrace,” Mr Rocke said.

“It’s still very early days but we’ve had some people come to us already.

“We’ve got the cooperation of all major stakeholders to ensure that we get the best result and best return.”

The Trustee had opened in 2012, in the former Royal Insurance Building, which is connected to Brookfield Place.

The building had been unused for nearly three decades previously.

When it opened, the Trustee had been a 250-seat venue with more than 500 wine selections.

At that time, Mr Taylor had operated The Beaufort Street Merchant with his sister Angela.