SOLOTEL EXPANDS PUB EMPIRE

Celebrity chef Matt Moran and business partner Bruce Solomon have added to their rapidly expanding pub portfolio, snapping up one of Sydney’s most iconic venues, Newtown’s Marlborough Hotel.

The hotel, affectionately known as the Marly, was sold by former Qantas boss Geoff Dixon and adman John Singleton through their Australian Pub Fund (APF)company.

It’s the latest big hotel deal for Mr Moran and Mr Solomon’s Solotel group, coming just months after the company took control of the Eastern suburbs beachside-based Clovelly Hotel, which it plans to upgrade into a “foodie” pub.

The addition of the Marlborough Hotel sees Solotel sitting alongside Justin Hemmes’ Merivale as Sydney’s most powerful hospitality group.

Solotel owns numerous other hospitality businesses around Australia including Opera Bar, the recently refurbished Aria restaurant at Sydney’s Circular Quay and The Paddington Inn, as well as Double Bay’s The Sheaf and Woollahra’s Chiswick.

“Solotel is delighted to add to the Marlborough Hotel to the existing four hotels we manage in the Newtown area,” Mr Solomon said.  Solotel, founded 30 years ago by Solomon, also owns the nearby Courthouse Hotel, The Bank, Petersham Public House and The Australia Hotel in Chippendale.

By the end of the year, Solotel will be operating more than 30 hospitality businesses in Sydney and Brisbane.

 Matt Moran & Bruce Solomon

Sources: The Daily Telegraph / SMH / The Shout / Pubtic / Hospitality Magazine