The Sydney Collective - Voluntary Administration

The Sydney Collective, the company behind some of Australia’s biggest hospitality venues owned by pub guru Fraser Short, entered voluntary administration on 22 December. Adam Farnsworth of Farnsworth Carson was appointed administrator. The company was formed in 2012 and, following significant growth and a series of acquisitions, operated 16 venues at its peak in 2022. The business stopped trading after Mr Short sold his stake in six venues, including the Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel and The Farm at Byron Bay, to long-term business partners the Laundy Family, and exited most of his other venues. The company owes more than $1 million to the ATO, approximately $300,000 to suppliers and over $4 million to an entity linked to Mr Short. The first meeting is scheduled for 8 January.