Margaret River Hotel developers oust business leaving for Busselton

The new owners of the Margaret River Hotel have moved to quell concerns after it was revealed a main street shop owner would be forced to exit.

The Heytesbury Group which owns Vasse Felix is advancing its plan to revitalise the main street’s popular pub since it was bought two years ago, despite progress being slow.

The Paul Holmes a Court-helmed company also owns the three adjacent shops, which a spokesperson said were in varying states of disrepair and needed urgent work.

Responding to claims online that Margaret River Rascals were ousted from their shop to make way for an office needed to guide the hotel project, a spokesperson told the Times those reports were untrue.

A spokeswoman for the developers said they had “submitted building approval to fix numerous serious faults in their structure and modernise the storage space for each shop” and was unrelated to the hotel project.

“Little Rascals currently do not hold a long-term lease and were advised of the need to vacate with 3.5 months notice as the shop they have been leasing needs substantially more work at the rear than those adjoining it, so there is no capacity to keep a business running through the process, given the time and access required,” the spokeswoman said.

“Heytesbury does not have alternative premises to offer the tenants.

“However, we have offered to significantly reduce their rent to assist financially in the final months.”

On social media, the business owners said they were now eyeing a relocation to Busselton, to the dismay of their loyal customers.

“Our shop is getting kicked out in Margaret River and we are considering to open up a shop on Prince Street,” the owners said.

Margaret River Business Network chief executive Annie McFie wished the departing business well despite her disappointment.

“Maintaining a vibrant main street is a major focus for our organisation,” she said.

“To see a much-loved, locally owned business relocating, potentially out of town, is disappointing.”

Heytesbury said they were making “significant efforts” to support the remaining two adjacent shops, with the planned work set to deliver upgraded premises.

“The completion of car park and drainage renovations behind the shops means Shop 3 will need to remain closed for a period to support this work,” they said.

“However, this shop is not being earmarked for ‘office space’ and will be offered as a retail space again in the future.”

Meanwhile, the hotel developer said it planned to lodge its building approval that would kickstart the long-awaited overhaul for the venue.

Previously, the Times reported building industry delays were a factor in the pub’s ongoing closure.

Once finished, the 8.5 million project will almost double the number of rooms to 30, with a two-storey extension at the rear clad in recycled weathered jarrah.

New plans would remove the intrusive 1980s-built porte-cochere, as well as the masonry and timber pergolas and the awnings that enclose alfresco dining areas.

It comes amid concerns about new town-centre developments using existing street parking to make up shortfalls in their plans, with a new Adrian Fini-led proposal on Fearn Avenue likely to follow the same path as the hotel.