Sirromet buys sixth and largest pub

The pair behind Queensland’s biggest winery have brought their collection of pubs to an even half-dozen, all purchased in the last year.

Sirromet Wines' Terry Morris and Dean Merrell yesterday finalised the purchase of the Warehouse Tavern (now Burnside Tavern), near Yatala, from former pub landlord Robert Fraser-Scott.

The latest deal comes after the duo last month set up a dedicated pubs division, the Good Times Pub Group, to manage their rapidly expanding hotel operations.

The award-winning Warehouse Tavern (pictured above) has been on the market since Fraser-Scott listed his three pub properties last June, in a move reported as ‘concentrating on other business interests’.

It represents another ‘right place, right time’ buy for the pair of wine-makers who never set out deliberately to make a string of pub purchases, a spokesperson told TheShout.

The Warehouse is the largest venue bought by Morris and Merrell to date and the first venue with significant off-premise interests, incorporating a discount liquor superstore attached plus an off-site bottleshop at nearby Ormeau Junction Shopping Centre.

The group has no immediate plans to expand on Queensland’s licensing conditions allowing up to four liquor outlets associated with a venue.

Morris has proved himself a good business bet, regularly exploring new options despite having enjoyed a seat on BRW’s Rich 200 list for the past seven years.

Sirromet Wines takes its name from the reverse spelling of its founder, Terry E Morris.