‘Quirky’ venue open for new tenancy

A RARE opportunity to resume hospitality operations at an established Point Lonsdale venue has come onto the market

The Point Lonsdale Guest House announced in November that Flouch’s restaurant, located in the dining room of the venue, was closing its doors.

The restaurant’s cessation of trading means the venue is now open to a new operator for either a short-term “pop-up” or a long-term venture.

Point Lonsdale Guest House proprietor Richard Fewster said it was sad Flouch’s could no longer continue operating, but was excited for the future of the venue.

“Flouch’s was at our venue for the past four years and it was the only fine dining option in Point Lonsdale, a town that doesn’t have a lot of eating options,” he said.

“Because of that fact, it was very welcomed by residents. It provided something that was unique and not offered elsewhere.

“It’s a quirky space, it’s quite old with a lot of dark timber, and I’ll be honest, when I first came into the venue I didn’t think a lot of it, but Michael Flouch brought out the best in it with his furnishings and the style the restaurant had.

“Perhaps someone else can usher in its next chapter.”

The Point Lonsdale Guest House was built in 1884, and originally named Terminus House.

Terminus House accommodated the workers who constructed the Point Lonsdale lighthouse, until its completion in 1902.

“A restaurant would be the most obvious avenue for a potential operator to come in straight away and start trading. That’s what the town needs the most,” Mr Fewster said.

“But longer term, permit-wise and council-wise, the venue could turn into anything given enough time.

“I’d probably advise an experienced trader to apply, just given how intense the industry is at the moment on business owners, and a fitout at a venue like ours is pretty high as well.

“Nevertheless, we’re excited to see what the premises becomes down the track and couldn’t speak highly enough of it.”

Interested operators can reach out to the Point Lonsdale Guest House directly by emailing [email protected]