Captain Moonlite and Anglesea SLSC seek agreement

HAVING once been synonymous with each other, Anglesea SLSC and the Captain Moonlite restaurant have reached an impasse over contract negotiations amid the clubhouse’s redevelopment.

Last week, an online petition to “Save Captain Moonlite” was launched and will eventually be sent to Anglesea SLSC, where the restaurant was located for four years before the redevelopments.

The petition has already garnered more than 600 signatures.

Being on Crown land, the clubhouse is governed by the Leasing Policy for Victorian Crown Land 2018, which requires the market rate to be paid for leased premises.

Anglesea SLSC vice-president Chris Foley said the club’s initial aspiration was to negotiate a new contact with Captain Moonlite.

“Clearly the fact that we went through an exclusive negotiation process (with Captain Moonlite) meant our aim was to build a business case that we could take to the government and say ‘This is a material better result for the membership, for the club, for the community’.

“But having gone through that process, the best and final offer that we received wasn’t something we could legitimately take to the government and say ‘This is materially better’.”

Captain Moonlite’s owner Gemma Gange said the restaurant had been eager to continue its lease.

“There were certain criteria that had changed from the club that we were trying to fit within our business model.

“We tried to work with them to negotiate a new agreement that was financially sustainable for us and also benefited the community.”

Ms Gange said the restaurant always intended to continue at the clubhouse after the redevelopment.

“We always expected we would be the one filling the new space. We worked with the club and helped design the new kitchen.”

With negotiations falling through, Anglesea SLSC then began a traditional tender process under the guidance of an industry consultant. The aim is to have this completed by the end of the month.

The club is reviewing and shortlisting submissions for tender, with Captain Moonlite one of the submissions.

Mr Foley said the club was “really pleased” with the number of responses it had received.

Mr Foley said the club had a clear view of what the ideal applicant would offer.

“Hopefully it’s Captain Moonlite but if it’s not, it won’t be a bistro-style, downmarket pub. We want to satisfy the needs of the members and the broader community.”

Ms Gange said Captain Moonlite would look to re-open in Anglesea whether it was in the new clubhouse or somewhere else.

“We’re certainly committed to Anglesea. The community has supported us so much over the years, so our heart is here.”