Pub baron Justin Hemmes announces that his Merivale chain of restaurants, bars and pubs will reopen next week
- Merivale venues will begin reopening as of June 1, in line with restrictions easing
- Venues such as Establishment Main Bar, Vic on the Park and Felix will reopen
- Owner Justin Hemmes called it 'the best news' the business has heard in months
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Pub baron Justin Hemmes has announced several of his establishments would reopen as coronavirus restrictions ease.
Merivale owns venues such as Coogee Pavillion, The Allawah and The Beresford Hotel.
Many were forced to close or provide takeaway only options amid the coronavirus restrictions preventing non-essential gatherings.
However, as of June 1, venues such as Establishment Main Bar, Vic on the Park and Wynyard Hotel will all reopen.
Pub baron Justin Hemmes has announced several of his establishments would reopen as coronavirus restrictions ease. Pictured: El Loco
Owner Justin Hemmes called it 'the best news' the business has heard in months
'This is the best news we've had in months, and marks the real beginning to hospitality's road to recovery. I would like to commend the government who not only acted swiftly to protect our country, but who are now also doing everything they can to help us safely reopen doors and rebuild the industry,' Justin Hemmes, CEO of Merivale, said.
'Whilst we are still a little while away from operating all our venues at full capacity, the increase to 50 customers is a huge leap forward and one that will result in an exponential increase in employment
'Thank you, as always, to our incredible staff and loyal guests for their patience, support and unwavering optimism that things would get better. They finally have'.
During the peak of the pandemic the company launched Merivale at Home, which delivered drinks and food from venues to your door.
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Last year it was alleged the company had underpaid staff.
A class action lawsuit filed in the Federal Court in December 2019 claims the booze empire owned by Justin Hemmes underpaid up to 8,200 workers.
Canberra law firm Adero alleges Merivale used a workplace agreement slashing wages and penalty rates that was never validly approved by regulators.
It is alleged staff should have been paid the industry award and are owed backpay for the past six years - the longest a claim can be made under the Fair Work Act.
The Newport (pictured) will be the last venue to reopen next week
The lawsuit further claims that even if the agreement was valid, salaried chefs were owed overtime for regularly working 55-hour week.
One pastry chef at Merivale's French restaurant Felix cited in the lawsuit was allegedly paid $48,000 a year for a 38-hour week but rostered on for about 55 hours.
Merivale's alleged underpayment issues first came to light last year when it was revealed it paid 3,000 staff under the 2007 agreement that paid 20 per cent below award.
Mr Hemmes, who owns 70 pubs, bars, and restaurants across Australia, cancelled the agreement in January 2019 and now pays all staff award rates.
However, Adero claims the Workplace Authority wrongly let the agreement stand 10 years ago and it was never valid in the first place.
During the peak of the pandemic the company launched Merivale at Home, which delivered drinks and food from venues to your door. Pictured: Bert's
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