WHILE a lease has been signed for new operators to take over the Fitzroy Hotel at Windsor, the doors won’t be open for a while yet due to a pre-existing tussle over the assets inside.
Previous tenants Mesh Hotels went into administration in March with a long list of creditors awaiting payment (including the Gazette). Liquidators Helm Advisory wanted to sell the assets inside, such as the fridges, poker machines and kitchen appliances, so the proceeds could be paid to creditors, but said the owner changed the locks.
Helm Advisory’s Kate Mead said at one point the owner Togumi Pty Ltd had requested a $100,000 bond in case of damage during removal of fixtures. She said this was not standard, and there were no funds for it.
Owners of Richmond’s Cram Bar nightclub have signed a lease to take over the hotel, but said they cannot reopen until the legalities have been resolved. The owner’s solicitors did not respond to the Gazette by deadline.
