Wellington 'superpub' closes after six months

Receivers have closed the doors at The Temperance bar less than six months after the first pint was pulled in what was billed as Wellington's "superpub".

Black plastic bags cover the windows at the pub, official home of the Hurricanes and Wellington Lions rugby teams and supporters.

The Temperance opened to fanfare in July when it was championed as New Zealand's largest pub.

It has three bars and a micro brewery which straddle the block between Blair St and Cambridge Tce.

While it is turning a profit, head leaseholder DB Breweries was concerned about the way the $4 million complex was being managed.

"DB has stepped in to protect our investment and the outlet by putting in place a receiver and removing the owner," DB spokesman Andrew Campbell said.

A report from the receiver is expected to be with DB today, and the bar is expected to reopen under the brewery's guidance ready for the weekend.

The Temperance was partly bankrolled by the brewery, which subleased the property to bar owner Andrew Gibson.

Mr Campbell said DB was still owed money. "It's not a massive figure but when coupled with the way the outlet was being managed . . . it has got to the point where some action had to be taken."

Mr Gibson admits rent and loan repayments are owing but said management had been solid.

"It would be fair to say it has been a financial strain on us as a group but to say it has been mismanaged, I don't think that is correct or fair."

Mr Gibson said he had been in promising negotiations with a multinational company - which he would not name - to sell The Temperance when the receiver arrived.

"I think the reality is that DB has jumped the gun a little bit."

He said financial stress started when construction of the bar went over budget by $1.9 million.

"It is hard to get out of that."

Mr Gibson sold another of his pubs, The Establishment in Courtenay Place, about nine weeks ago. Part of the proceeds went to pay construction costs at The Temperance. He is also selling another bar, The Big Kumara, in a deal to be sealed tomorrow.

Mr Gibson still owns Jays Bar and Cafe in Johnsonville and The Loaded Hog on the waterfront.

DB believes The Temperance's future is rosy, a view backed by Wellington Rugby chief executive Greg Peters. "We have an excellent relationship with DB Breweries, which is a longstanding partner of Wellington Rugby and the Hurricanes. We look forward to working with them for many years."

- © Fairfax NZ News