Molloy shuts bar to focus on goal
Mayoralty hopeful prepares to open campaign HQ in Herne Bay
Leo Molloy is closing his waterfront bar and restaurant Headquarters on May 21 and the next day opening the doors for one last time to formally announce he is running for the Auckland mayoralty.
Molloy said yesterday he had met some great people and entertained everyone in town from a few gangsters slipping in occasionally to rich listers and VIPs at the other end.
“But I would be lying if I said the last two years have been easy. For a majority of the last two years I have haemorrhaged money and that is not something anyone enjoys doing. It’s a very, very difficult climate to work in,” he said.
Headquarters was established as a temporary restaurant and bar on its current site in 2016 on a short-term lease that was extended until April this year.
It was initially erected as a central Viaduct venue for the Lions’ Tour and subsequently went on to host a plethora of Viaduct events, including two America’s Cup celebrations.
A listing has been put up on Trade Me to sell and relocate the Headquarters building and assets.
Molloy and Headquarters have regularly been in the headlines — last year he declared December 1 as freedom day at Headquarters when the Government had not given a firm indication when Auckland businesses could resume operating after lockdown.
In May 2020, Molloy planned a “dummy run” party with 100 of his best friends when the country was preparing to move to alert level 2.
Guests included Sir Graham Henry, Destiny Church’s Brian and Hannah Tamaki, former National deputy leader Paula Bennett and True Bliss band members.
In March, he held a supporters’ event at Headquarters where he announced a “Comeback Plan” for Auckland.
Writing on his mayoral Facebook page on Sunday, Molloy said he would close on Saturday, May 21, and next day hold a “rally, bold announcement, a rousing speech” to confirm his mayoralty run.
The restaurateur will take a week off in May and from June 1 will tour Auckland every day on his 50-seater campaign bus with key staff and four drivers rostered on and off.
Next week, Molloy is opening a campaign “war office” at an old warehouse in Herne Bay for volunteers to work the phones.
“It will be a very Google-style war office, quite trendy with maps everywhere, strategic targets and bigscreen technology. It might even have a pool table and drinking facilities,” said Molloy.