Apex Advisory appointed over Hobart Pub Group as seven venues shut

Pub Banc Group Pty Ltd and Hotel Banc Group Pty Ltd have entered voluntary administration, prompting the immediate closure of seven well-known Hobart hospitality venues while the administrator pursues an accelerated sale or recapitalisation. Adam Johnston of Apex Advisory was appointed voluntary administrator of the companies on 6 July 2026.

Pub Banc Group traded through Cargo Bar Pizza Lounge, Franklin Wharf, Franklin Wharf Function Centre, Franklin Wharf Restaurant & Bar, Jack Greene, Post Street Social and Republic Bar and Cafe. Hotel Banc Group operated Observatory.

The businesses employed more than 80 people and maintained relationships with a broad network of Tasmanian suppliers. Their venues were located across Hobart’s Salamanca, waterfront and North Hobart hospitality precincts.

The companies’ director, Ian Vaughan, attributed the appointments to an extended period of difficult trading conditions, including higher food and beverage costs, rising utility and insurance expenses and changes in consumer spending.

The venues have stopped trading while Apex conducts an urgent process seeking expressions of interest for the businesses and assets, either together or as individual venues. The process is also open to recapitalisation proposals.

Apex said the objective is to preserve business value, protect as many jobs as possible and facilitate the reopening of the venues under new ownership. The administrator expects interest from hospitality operators and investors in Tasmania and elsewhere in Australia.

The closures have affected existing reservations, private functions, weddings and other scheduled events. The administrator is assessing the treatment of prepaid bookings, function deposits and related customer claims. Creditors and suppliers are expected to be contacted directly, with the first creditors’ meetings required to be convened within eight business days after the appointments.