UPDATE 08/11: Following reports that the future of the Gasometer Hotel in Collingwood was uncertain after news of cancelled shows, liquor licensing issues, and a touted sale of the live music venue, new information has surfaced that confirms the sad financial state of the Melbourne venue.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Documents obtained by Tone Deaf reveal that the Gasometer Hotel is going into liquidation, with Peter Ivan Macks of Insolvency Firm Macks Advisory appointed as the administrator by a South Australian court ruling on Wednesday 6th November.
The successful action to wind up the venue, registered as Gasometer Pty Ltd, was brought forward by one of the hotel’s liquor suppliers, the McLaren Vale Beer Company Pty Ltd, issued to the South Australian Commonwealth Laws Court back in August.
A look at court records show that a number of payments had defaulted, including nearly $30,000 owed to Victorian Workcover in June and $3,116 to The Wine Company Pty Ltd in April 2013.
An additional insolvency notice from ASIC reveals that the venue had been in financial trouble for some time, with an unsuccessful wind up action brought forward by the Australian Tax Office issued as far back as January this year.
Now that it is in the hands of administrators, it appears as a result that the Gasometer Hotel has ceased trading effective immediately, including last night’s gig cancellation (as detailed below).
A commenter on the venue’s official Facebook page has re-posted a statement from Aussie artist Other Places, who was set to play at the Gasometer tonight (Friday 8th November), that also alerts of the venue entering into receivership. The status of all future gigs at the venue are likely cancelled at this stage.
The Gasometer took to their Facebook page on Friday night to post: “Update later tonight. Been a day. Getting through it.”
Original Story: A Melbourne live music venue is reportedly facing issues with its licensing leading to the cancellation of gigs as a selling price hovers over the hotel’s head.
The Gasometer Hotel, located at the corner of Smith Street and Alexandra Parade in Collingwood, allegedly cancelled a scheduled EP launch from Melbourne duo Premium Fantasy last night.
The “crystal melody makers” were to launch their Active/Passive EP, with support from DD Dumbo, Yes/No/Maybe, Snowy Nasdaq, Pink Health and O Littleblood DJs, at the venue but took to their official Facebook page ahead of the gig to alert fans that the show had been scrapped.
According to other reports, the Gasometer cancelled the show as it did not trade at all last night, the venue closed entirely.
There has been contention over the status of the live music venue after rumours sprang up in early October that it was up for sale, with a listing for the Gasometer by estate agents Connolly Hospitality appearing online.
At the time, the Gasometer’s Kody Abrams responded to Tone Deaf’s inquiry about the rumoured sale on 4th October, saying: “It’s not for sale. And no need to do a story. It’s up as a expression of interest. Not interested in supplying any more info. Thanks anyway.”
A statement on the venue’s official Facebook page issued the same day read:
The venue is still listed on Connolly Hospitality’s listing page for an asking price of $310,000, with The Music running a report at the end of October stating that estate agent Pat Connolly had confirmed that “several buyers” were making offers on the venue.
Connolly confirmed that the Gasometer’s two band rooms, of 100 and 250 capacity respectively, were being used as a selling point for the site, with estimated earnings of $24,000 per week. Connolly had confirmed there was interest in continuing the Gaso as a live music venue, having recently settled the sale of Gertrude’s Brown Couch – another entertainment venue located in nearby Fitzroy.
The Gasometer Hotel currently has a healthy schedule of gigs booked throughout November and December, including performances from Martyr Privates and Hideous Towers this weekend. A date from Japanese rock band Guitar Wolf, scheduled for 30th November at the Collingwood venue, no longer appears on the official website’s listings, with reported ticketing issues for those attempting to purchase through OzTix as promoters reportedly search for a new venue.
Tone Deaf reached out to the Gasometer Hotel’s staff for further comment about the status of the venue and sale rumours, a representative simply replied: “We are not sure what’s happening yet.”
