THE owners of Clarences Bar in Mt Lawley have slammed the “greed of landlords” after its shock closure yesterday.
Clarences is the latest venue to join the growing list of businesses shutting up shop on dying Beaufort Street.
A sign posted on their front window on Monday read that their lease has been terminated.
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In a post on Facebook overnight, the owners wrote that the venue was closing due to the “greed and ignorance of landlords”.
“Another one bites the dust in this once thriving precinct.”
Clarences’ closure comes after last week’s announcement that Five Bar would be closing after nine years on the strip.
“Unfortunately Five Bar is closed for the foreseeable future, effective immediately,” the owners wrote on Facebook, with a sea of disappointed commenters farewelling the institution.
In an attempt to stem the tide The Beaufort Street Network, a group made up of residents and businesses, announced a “rally” to be held on the strip next weekend.
“We are working through the details of a #buylocal #eatlocal #drinklocal ‘rally’ to be held on Beaufort Street next weekend as an unofficial festival basically encouraging (begging) all locals and visitors to make Beaufort Street their destination on that night,” they posted on Facebook.
“If everyone shares and attends this event we will be sending a message to businesses – we are here for you!”
Perth MLA John Carey told the Guardian Express in March that there were a number of factors at play for businesses going through tough times on Beaufort Street – the main one being rent.
“The genuine feedback I’ve heard from small businesses is that the key issue isn’t parking, it’s not that the council hasn’t tried to revive the area, the feedback is there has been unrealistic expectations from property owners about rental returns,” he said.
“We need to have a conversation with property owners – the damage is done, and we’re seeing one vacant building after another.”
Brunch favourite Cantina663 closed in February 24 hours after Red Cray announced it was closing.
Cantina663 opened on Beaufort Street a decade earlier and both venues blamed their demise on a decline in trade.
March also saw the popular Pancho’s Mexican Villa Restaurant in Mount Lawley say adios to their patrons.
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