In October, Anthony Moreton Group bought out restaurateur Ben Walsh’s Good Time Group interest in venues on the Gold Coast and North Stradbroke Island, with the portfolio rebranded to Moreton Hospitality.
The Anthony Moreton Group have long partnered with Walsh, owning the mixed use tower that housed Walsh’s bar and restaurant Miss Moneypenny’s Broadbeach and Fat Freddy’s sports bar and diner which launched in 2019. The two groups then formed an equal partnership to acquire the Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel in 2022.
With Moreton Hospitality now taking full ownership of the three venues, the group will take a strategic shift towards an upmarket pub direction. Miss Moneypenny’s Gold Coast and Fat Freddy’s will both close, with the precinct to undergo refurbishment until the end of November to unveil two new venues: The Beach Hotel Broadbeach and Cora.
“We jumped at the opportunity to refurbish the precinct and bring the vibrance back with a revitalised space and a contemporary new menu crafted for casual and shared dining experiences,” stated Lance Burrows, COO at Moreton Hospitality.
New concepts
The Beach Hotel Broadbeach, marks a return to its roots as an authentic local pub. The renovations include an extended alfresco dining area that spans the entire Surf Parade street front, designed to enhance the venue’s street presence. The pub’s amenities will also include new TAB facilities, a second bar area to service the alfresco diners, wall-to-wall screens for live sports, and a VIP luxury gaming lounge.
“We’re excited to bring back ‘The Beach Hotel Broadbeach’ and restoring the hotel to its original name. Our goal is to reconnect with the local community and offer the quintessential pub experience—great food, drinks, live entertainment, and that unmistakable beachside vibe,” stated Burrows.
Cora will replace Miss Moneypenny’s on the northern side of the property, introducing a unique dining experience that combines the innovation of modern Australian cuisine with the flavours of the Mediterranean. An elevated dining experience remains central to the offering, while the atmosphere will shift to a more energetic, playful vibe with funk and disco elements. Cora will also include a private function room called The Club House.
“We listened to our customers and the new direction reflects this, with a dynamic coastal offering to welcome locals and visitors alike. The new venue is community-centric, welcoming families with children for the first time,” stated the COO.
The Club House will open 25 November, while Beach Hotel Broadbeach will open on 29 November and Cora will open 5 December.
Moreton Hospitality is retaining all the key venue staff from Miss Moneypenny’s and Fat Freddy’s, while strengthening the team with experienced professionals to support the group’s expansion ambitions.
AGFG award-winning head chef, Tapos Singha remains at the helm, teamed up with the newly appointed general manager Lee Thurston.
“I’m excited to steer the menu in a different direction and to bring a new dining experience to the Coast. This new elevated pub offering is yet to be seen here at Broadbeach and Cora brings a contemporary dining experience that is designed to not only delight the palate but also nourish the body,” said Singha.
The Moreton Hospitality portfolio consists of the Beach Hotel Broadbech, Cora, the Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel, and five bottle shops – with another bottle shop to join the stable shortly.
A major refurbishment of Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel is planned for 2025, covering the pub, accommodation and entertainment offerings.