AMID claims from former employees that workers were paid alcoholic drinks as part of their wages the operator of BJ Paterson's Sports Bar and Restaurant Luke McMahon has reassured all staff left without work by the closure of the pub they will be paid their entitlements.
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"In the last 24-48 hours a number of employees have already come to me to receive their payments," Mr McMahon said after the Anson Street premises ceased operating earlier this week.
"Everyone has or will be paid their entitlements and all the superannuation is up to date.”
He said 25 employees, including 16 full-time staff, are affected by the closure of the venue, run by McMahon Hotels Pty. Ltd.
"I employed mostly full timers as I wanted to show a commitment to them," he said.
However two former employees of the licensed premises say they are still owed some of their superannuation payments, as well as other entitlements.
One young woman, who stopped working for the business earlier this year and does not want to be named, said she had to contact the relevant authorities to ensure her superannuation was paid.
"I am not sure what is going to happen now and how I will get my group certificate," she said.
Brodie Cotter, a chef at the venue until February this year, said it was common practice in the business’s initial months in operation – it opened its doors in October, 2015 – for staff to be paid cash in hand.
"Front of house staff were also told they could work out their shifts in exchange for drinks," Mr Cotter said.
Mr McMahon said he did have some arrangements in place for particular employees to receive drinks and use pub vehicles in lieu of wages.
"After I resigned I walked in to a job straight away and I'm really grateful," Mr Cotter explained.
Mr Cotter estimates he is owed around $4000 in superannuation and entitlements, which the Australian Taxation Office office is currently investigating on his behalf.
Whiteley, Ironside and Shillington, the law firm acting on behalf of the owners Dino and Michael Cunial, shut down the licenced venue earlier in the week, changing the locks to deny access to McMahon Hotel's Pty. Ltd.
The firm posted a notice on the front window saying that Mr McMahon owned more than $25,000 in rent and property outgoings.
On Thursday Mr McMahon said he will not be opening another entertainment venue in Orange.
He said he had been in dispute with the owners of the pub for months over essential internal works that needed to be carried out so his business could operate.
"I feel Orange is the one who has lost out here," he said.
"I will be returning to Sydney as we have business interests there, as well as in Brisbane and in Melbourne.”
Whiteley Ironside and Shillington were contacted for comment but declined.
