Rugby legend’s restaurant empire in administration

Rugby legend and former Wallaby great George Gregan’s has had his restaurant and coffee group placed into administration.

Along with his former wife Erica, Gregan has run GG Leasing, which trades as GG Espresso, Eagle Lane Bistro, The George Bar and Bistro and Sydney Opera House Green Room, since the 1998.

The group is now more than $1 million in debt.

SV Partners has been appointed administrator.

According to director Ian Purchas, SV Partners is working with Erica, who remains the sole director, on a proposed deed of company arrangement (DOCA) which would allow the business to trade through the administration process and recover.

So far SV Partners has closed two of nine venues trading across Sydney and Brisbane, with 10 of 65 staff laid off.

Creditors include landlords, the Australian Taxation Office and trade creditors.

“This was quite a large business. At one stage at its height it probably had in the vicinity of 30 bars, restaurants and cafes going at once,’’ Mr Purchas said.

“Over recent years and I think during COVID-19 it’s worked its way down to the nine stores that were operating when I was appointed on Friday.

“Since Friday I have closed two stores. I’m trying to come to some accommodating arrangement with the landlords of four other stores, and one of the stores comes off lease at the end of this month so it’s not being renewed.

“Out of the nine the company will definitely go forward with two of them and hopefully another four.”

GG Leasing was hit hard by the pandemic and with JobKeeper coming to an end this month, Mr Purchas said it was difficult for the company to keep trading. 

Irit Jackson, 24th March 2021