Pub manager Glenn Whitfield said owners Helen and Alex Filips,who took over ownership six years ago,were forced to close the St Peters pub this week following a failed mediation with landlord Benjamin Harkham.
Harkham has been contacted for comment.
The Harkham family owns pubs and hotels across Sydney and Beverly Hills in Los Angeles,and has recently beenthe subject of a court battle over Noah’s Backpackers on Bondi Beach.
Whitfield said the pub has suffered from constant flooding since WestConnex works began in the area in 2019,and claims the landlord refused to give the owners a rent reduction or make repairs. The Herald does not suggest Harkham had any obligation to give a rent reduction or make repairs.
“We closed because we had no choice. We wanted to stay there – we put a lot of love into that business,” Whitfield said.
“We are going to miss all our patrons – it was a family pub.”