We have it on good authority that DB stepped in and dealt a death blow to what was arguably Wellingtons biggest Bar – the Temperance complex. this morning. It was viewed as an ambitious complex by Wellingtons hospitality industry. It’s fit out was estimated to be around $3 mil. DB and the Wellington Rugby Union were significant investors. Everyone is asking what Wellington Rugby is up for after the bars and restaurants failed to make good. Sad really – it would have been good to see it take off but we understand that fit out, cost overruns and very high rents meant it was an intemperate investment from day one.
I was at the Tui bar (Temperance?) in December at it didn’t really feel like a real pub. They seemed to be giving away a huge amount of booze with a lot of promo girls. High staff costs and low margins aren’t a good way to run any pub.
I wonder if Auckland’s Sale St. will follow suit? Massive venue, costly fit-out, lots of staff, pretty cheap beer, fickle Aucklanders. The one and only time I’ve been there I wanted to see it go bust so I could bid for the brewery plant when it inevitable closed it’s doors. Awesome looking (but tiny) plant.