THE operator of the Guilderton café says it has made the decision to close the café due to increasing operating costs which have made the existing business model unsustainable.
Belgravia Leisure WA state manager Rohan Gunton said the last day of trade would be tomorrow Tuesday, January 31.
Mr Gunton said staff were informed of the decision at the start of last week.
“All permanent staff have been offered alternative roles within the business,’’ he said.
“The general store is not impacted by the café closure and will continue to trade as normal.
Yanchep News Online asked Mr Gunton if this meant Sun City Group which runs the IGAs in Guilderton and Two Rocks would take on the management of the café and take away as well.
“We are in discussions with a number of experienced and reputable cafe owners who have expressed interest in taking over the operation of Guilderton café.
“Given this, we are not in a position to announce a future operator for the café at this point.’’
In August 2021 as the new managers, Belgravia Leisure, said major upgrades would transform the Guilderton General Store into a clean, fresh and modern beachside café and general store offering essential grocery and travel supplies for Guilderton residents and tourists visiting the region.
But in January last year with the upgrades unfinished Mr Gunton said like many other businesses with current building projects, they were facing challenges created by Covid-19 affecting the availability of building trades.
In April last year the Shire of Gingin agreed to sub-lease a portion of the Guilderton café and general store to Sun City Group following an application from Belgravia Health and Leisure Group Pty Ltd.
Prior to that former the Guilderton café and general store manager Kerry Enright had become embroiled in a dispute with the shire about renewal of the lease before the council awarded the lease to Belgravia Leisure (after both submitted tenders).
The Shire of Gingin confirmed Belgravia Leisure were in discussions with a number of experienced, reputable café owners who have expressed interest in taking over operation of the Guilderton Café.
