The former owners of Collingwood’s beloved live music venue The Gasometer Hotel have slammed its upcoming relaunch, saying they were excluded from the process and are owed money by the new operators.
The venue closed in March, and earlier this week Melbourne chef Scott Pickett and his son Harry announced plans to reopen it as a pub and dining destination. They say they will keep the famous bandroom and continue supporting live music.
“I want to support live music and be a pub for the people,” Pickett told The Age. “The back room I will keep for live music, but seven themed nights, one night comedy … one night uni night, an open night mic that can be any kind of performance, there will be a jam night for young up-and-coming artists, then three nights of big live music.”
But on Thursday night (July 31), the venue’s former owners posted a harsh message on social media, accusing the new owners of taking advantage of their closure and ignoring the venue’s history.
“Probably a little easier to establish a business when you start by stiffing the previous owners of around $250k,” the statement reads.
They claim the landlords blocked their attempt to sell the business, which led to the venue closing, going into liquidation, and staff losing their jobs.
“This is no longer The Gaso. This is a cheap shady imitation who have decided to shit on its legacy instead of support it. Stolen, not saved.”
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The former team urged fans to support other local live music venues instead.
Over the years, the Gaso has hosted some of Australia’s biggest names, including Jet, Mallrat, Paul Dempsey, and Kaiit. More recently, it’s been a hub for local up-and-coming artists and indie bands.
Read the full statement posted on social media here and below.
Probably a little easier to establish a business when you start by stiffing the previous owners of around $250k.
Landlords being greedy landlords they decided to refuse our perfectly reasonable offer for another party to take over the business with the name and other business asserts which lead to us losing the sale price, paying for liquidation and having to make our staff redundant.
This is no longer The Gaso, this is a cheap shady imitation who have decided to shit on its legacy instead of support it. Stolen, not saved.
Fuck this place off and go somewhere that actually supports local music.
Go check out the following places instead: @thetotehotel, @creaturesofhabitbar, @bergybandroom, @thelastchancerockandrollbar, @miscellania_, @rubixwarehouse, @newguernica, @leadbeaterhotel.
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