New operator sought for theatre cafe
SAY goodbye to the Jimmy Cafe – Positively Wellington Venues is getting out of the food and beverage game.
The Wellington City Councilowned company that runs cityowned venues, including the St James Theatre, is planning to permanently close the Jimmy Cafe and bar based out of the theatre’s foyer.
Instead, it will put the space out for tender with hopes that an established company, such as Mojo or Wishbone, will take over.
It comes as the business’s food and beverage section loses money, with the cafe revenue coming in $30,000 under budget in the first quarter of this year, and other performance bars down $50,000.
Venues chief executive Glenys
‘We would like to go to market and find an operator . . . someone who can bring a really signature Wellington cafe operation into the space.’
Venues chief executive Glenys Coughlan Coughlan said the Jimmy had been losing money for ‘‘quite a long period of time’’. It usually shut down during the Christmas period and it was hoped that a new operator would come in and be ready to open in the new year.
‘‘We would like to go to market and find an operator . . . someone who can bring a really signature Wellington cafe operation into the space.’’
About 40 staff would be affected, but it was hoped a new operator would be able to rehire them.
The bars at other venues were already outsourced and there were plans to consolidate them all under the same company.
Restaurant Association president Mike Egan said it was not unusual for an organisation to get out of hospitality and stick to its core business.
‘‘It’s nothing unusual – it’s the way of the world.’’
A prime site such as the theatre on Courtenay Place had a lot of potential and would work best run by an owner-operator who was passionate about the business, he said. ‘‘It provides an opportunity for a really good owner.’’