BY RODERICK EIME
With the announcement last week from Chara Hospitality MD, Gregg Currie, that lease negotiations had collapsed with landlords, Gerringong Developments Pty Ltd, and that he was obliged to “move on to new opportunities”, HM understands the owners, currently trading as Gerringong by the Sea, are currently in discussions with Accor Hotels for a possible management and branding deal.
Accor were understandably tight-lipped, acknowledging only that they were likely one of several brands in discussions with the property’s owners.
“We’ll happily make an announcement when and if any arrangements are finalised,” a spokesperson for Accor told HM.
HM can confirm that long-time DoSM at Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, Michael Eggers, has been onsite at Gerringong this week in discussions with owners in what has been widely described as “currently a very fluid situation”.
HM can also confirm that as of today, liquidators and receivers had been appointed to Chara Gerringong, the company used by Currie to trade as bellachara Hotel.
A spokesperson for Chara Hospitality said: “Last week’s announcement is pretty the much the beginning and the end of the matter for Chara Gerringong. Legally we can’t say or comment further, except to say that the company Chara Hospitality is not effected by any action.”
Gregg Currie, the hotelier who launched the NSW South Coast’s popular, award-winning bellachara boutique hotel said in his statement: “I am incredibly proud of the experience we’ve created for thousands of holiday-makers, brides and conference clients and I remain humbled by the great support from our local community of Gerringong.”
Currie said despite some of the most challenging years Australian tourist operators have ever encountered, bellachara had achieved great success.
Gerringong Developments Pty Ltd were approached for comment by HM, but had not responded before publication.