Purchasing a closed pub presents opportunities that operating venues rarely offer, but the risks are different too. Understanding what to verify before signing and how to transfer liquor licence Victoria requirements work will determine whether you reopen smoothly or face costly delays.
Selling a hospitality venue requires more preparation than most owners expect. This 12-month checklist identifies the legal, financial, and operational issues you need to address before entering a sale of business contract, helping you secure a better price and avoid deal-breaking surprises.
Australia's expanded AML/CTF laws will soon require identity verification and source of funds documentation for hospitality business sales. If you are buying or selling a restaurant, bar, or cafe in Melbourne, these changes will affect your transaction timeline and paperwork.
Food halls and multi-vendor hospitality precincts are growing across Melbourne, but the legal structures behind vendor revenue sharing often lag behind the technology. Getting your agreements right from the start prevents disputes and keeps operations running smoothly.
Receiving a notice from the Fair Work Ombudsman requires immediate action. Learn the exact steps venue operators must take to respond to investigations and protect their business from heavy penalties.
Business brokers do excellent work finding buyers and negotiating prices, but they are not equipped to conduct commercial due diligence on liquor licences, lease assignments, or employment liabilities. Understanding where their role ends and legal representation begins can save you from costly surprises after settlement.
The small bar licence changed Melbourne's laneway culture, but getting one approved requires careful planning. Here is what venue operators need to understand about patron caps, amenity concerns, and the application process before lodging with Liquor Control Victoria.
Opening a cafe in Melbourne means dealing with the Food Act 1984, council registration, and a stack of compliance requirements before you serve your first flat white. This guide breaks down the legal steps you need to complete, from food premises registration to staff training obligations.
Victoria's July 2025 liquor reforms shift assessment responsibility from planning permits to the licensing process. For venue operators, this means a simpler path to opening but more scrutiny from Liquor Control Victoria on amenity and harm considerations.
Distressed hospitality assets are hitting the market across Victoria as breweries and regional hotels struggle with softer foot traffic and rising costs. Before signing anything, you need to know exactly what problems you are buying, and which ones can sink your investment.