Processing timeline
2
days
Filed
6 Aug 2026
Decision Due
17 Sept 2026
Est decision date: 9 Sept 2026. Based on 59 decided Professional & Business Services notifications.
Acquirer(s)
AVC OPERATIONS PTY LIMITED ABN - 81 607 832 299
Target(s) or Vendor(s)
Central Hospitality Services Pty Ltd ACN - 644 976 045, ATHENA HOSPITALITY GROUP PTY LTD ABN - 35 636 190 960
Other parties
AUSTRALIAN VENUE CO LIMITED ABN - 14 607 666 348
AVC Operations Pty Limited, a subsidiary of Australian Venue Co. Holdings Ltd, proposes to acquire substantially all assets of two licensed venues, Bartlett's Tavern and Black Nugget Hotel Motel, and associated bottle shops. The asset acquisition is from Central Hospitality Services Pty Ltd and Athena Hospitality Group Pty Ltd, expanding AVC's licensed venue portfolio.
AVC Operations Pty Limited ( AVC ), a subsidiary of Australian Venue Co. Holdings Ltd ( AVC Holdings ), proposes to acquire substantially all of the assets of two licensed venues, Bartlett's Tavern, Rockhampton and Black Nugget Hotel Motel Moranbah, and all associated detached bottle shops ( DBS ) from Central Hospitality Services Pty Ltd ( CHS ) and Athena Hospitality Group Pty Ltd ( Athena ) respectively (together, the Vendors ) (the Acquisition ). The Acquisition also includes the assignment of the lease for each premises being acquired by AVC. AVC operates over 200 licensed venues throughout Australia and New Zealand, primarily pubs, as well as some bars, clubs and licensed restaurants. Black Nugget Hotel Motel is a licensed motel and hotel located at 81 Batchelor Parade, Moranbah QLD. The licence also covers, Moranbah DBS Premises, Shop 6, Moranbah Fair, St Francis Drive, Moranbah (together, the Black Nugget Hotel Motel Business ). Bartlett’s Tavern is a pub and grill located at 166 Kent Street, Rockhampton QLD. The licence also covers two DBS (1) Berserker DBS Premises,169 High Street, Berserker; and (2) Highway A1 DBS Premises, 86 Derby Street, Rockhampton (together, the Bartlett's Tavern Business ). Both venues are typical Australian pubs with facilities including a bistro, sports bar, gaming room, function room, beer garden and DBS. Black Nugget Hotel Motel also includes a motel accommodation premises.
The ACCC has prepared a questionnaire on the Acquisition. Submissions or information in response to the questionnaire should be provided by 14 August 2026 via email to mergers@accc.gov.au with the title Submission re: Australian Venue Co – assets of Black Nugget Hotel Motel, Bartletts Tavern and all associated detached bottle shops . The ACCC’s ability to give detailed consideration to submissions received after this time may be limited.