Overview
- Pub Banc Group and Hotel Banc Group entered voluntary administration on Monday, July 6, 2026, and administrators closed all seven Hobart venues while launching an urgent sale or recapitalisation process.
- The venues listed for sale are Cargo Bar, Jack Greene, Post Street Social, Observatory Bar, Republic Bar, Franklin Wharf Restaurant & Bar and Franklin Wharf Function Centre.
- More than 80 staff have been informed or stood down and administrators say protecting jobs is an early priority as they assess bids and liabilities for suppliers and creditors.
- Apex Advisory said it expects significant interest from Tasmanian and national hospitality operators and investors and is seeking expressions of interest to maximise returns and ideally see the venues reopen under new owners.
- Company directors cited sharply higher food, utilities, insurance and wage costs along with changed patron behaviour, a pressure mirrored across the Tasmanian hospitality sector and likely to affect supplier contracts and event bookings in the short term.