By Clyde Mooney
The pair behind Queensland’s biggest winery have brought their collection of pubs to an even half-dozen, all purchased in the last year.
Sirromet Wines' Terry Morris and Dean Merrell yesterday finalised the purchase of the Warehouse Tavern, near Yatala, from former pub landlord Robert Fraser-Scott.
The latest deal comes after the duo last month set up a dedicated pubs division, the Good Times Pub Group, to manage their rapidly expanding hotel operations.
The award-winning Warehouse Tavern (pictured above) has been on the market since Fraser-Scott listed his three pub properties last June, in a move reported as ‘concentrating on other business interests’.
It represents another ‘right place, right time’ buy for the pair of wine-makers who never set out deliberately to make a string of pub purchases, a spokesperson told TheShout.
The Warehouse is the largest venue bought by Morris and Merrell to date and the first venue with significant off-premise interests, incorporating a discount liquor superstore attached plus an off-site bottleshop at nearby Ormeau Junction Shopping Centre.
The group has no immediate plans to expand on Queensland’s licensing conditions allowing up to four liquor outlets associated with a venue.
Morris has proved himself a good business bet, regularly exploring new options despite having enjoyed a seat on BRW’s Rich 200 list for the past seven years.
Sirromet Wines takes its name from the reverse spelling of its founder, Terry E Morris.