A popular western Sydney restaurant and wedding venue has collapsed amid “incredibly difficult” market conditions.
The Orchard, considered “western Sydney’s most memorable venue”, consists of a restaurant, cafe and garden bar in Penrith, about 60 km from the city’s central business district.
The owners thanked the community for continued support when they announced the shocking closing in a social media post Wednesday.
“We are grateful for the continued support of the Penrith community and look forward to continuing to be a place where you can celebrate your special occasions for many years to come,” The Orchard said in a statement.
“It’s very much the same old thing. Please be assured that we will keep everyone informed as we move forward in this process.”
Administrator Graeme Beattie of insolvency firm Worrells described The Orchard as “one of western Sydney’s premier hospitality venues”.
“This decision comes after a period of challenging market conditions, including rising operating costs, changing consumer behavior and reduced discretionary spending, which have contributed to an unsustainable financial position,” it said.
Beattie said he was carrying out an “urgent financial analysis” of the company.
The Orchard, considered “Western Sydney’s most memorable venue”, is a sprawling restaurant, cafe and garden bar in Penrith, about 60km from the CBD (pictured).
“While administration is in its infancy, I intend to market the company’s business as usual,” he said.
Fedlallah Hallani, director of FRM Café Pty Ltd, trading as The Orchard Penrith, said it had been “an incredibly difficult process”.
“Throughout the administration we will work closely with Mr Beattie and the Worrells team to ensure the best possible outcome for all stakeholders,” he said.
‘Whilst this is a challenging time, we remain committed to exploring all options to ensure the future of the business.
“We value and appreciate the continued support during this process.”
Several well-known locations have collapsed across Australia in recent months.
The Carlton Club on Bourke Street in Melbourne’s CBD and the Windsor Castle Hotel on Albert Street went into voluntary administration in November.
The venues owe around 1.5 million to their creditors, including the Australian Taxation Office.
On Monday, Orchard appointed an administrator, Graeme Beattie of Worrells, in an effort to stay afloat.
Owner Tracey Lester, “the last few years have been incredibly challenging as we navigate the ongoing impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic,” in a statement this week.
“We are at the end of a restructuring process and I remain committed to working closely with my advisors and legal team to achieve the best possible results for my team, for these iconic and beloved Melbourne venues, and a win for the hospitality industry: proof that it continues to thrive in this vibrant city.