Saturday 7 March 2009

COMPASS HOTEL GROUP REPORTS $2M LOSS

as posted here


Western Australia’s Compass Hotel Group has announced an operating loss of $2 million for the six months ended December 28 as a result of double-digit decreases in revenue from its food and liquor operations.

The company reported a 26 per cent downturn in food revenue and a 22 per cent downturn in bar revenue across its 13 hotel properties attributed to negative consumer sentiment. It also reported a 25 per cent fall in off-premise sales attributed to increased liquor discounting by major liquor retailers.

Other factors the group attributed to its under-performance include a delay in the integration of properties acquired last year, unforseen issues relating to staff development, implementation of new systems and cultural difficulties that existed in some of its hotels.

The hotel group also incurred a $1.3 million cost in the period for the upgrade the Peel Alehouse and Greenwood, Peninsula and Gosnells hotels, and a $21.3 million loss on the value of its hedging agreements associated with falling interest rates.

Compass managing director, Bryan Northcote, said the result was disappointing when compared to the original growth forecast of 10 per cent for the 2008-09 financial year.

“The group initially geared up for expansion and consequently middle management was bolstered,” he said. “The unprecedented change in world economics and subsequent cash flow on effects to WA has changed the group’s direction from expansionary to consolidation of the existing portfolio.”

Compass shares were trading at 3.5 cents at midday today (Mar 6) compared to 5.5 cents eight days ago.
as posted here

Gypsy Joker bikies jailed over Gosnells attack

as posted here

Two Gypsy Joker bikies have been jailed for bashing a man outside a Gosnells nightclub.
Dean Alan Adams and Peter Floyd Robinson, both aged 44, were today sentenced by Judge Roger Macknay in the Perth District Court.

Adams was sentenced to 18 months jail but was made eligible for parole and could be released after nine months. Robinson, who Judge Macknay said played a leading role in the attack, was jailed for two years and three months and also made eligible for parole.

Both sentences were backdated to February 4, when the men were taken into custody after being found guilty of attacking Petera Heta Haimona outside the Cactus Club with a club, a metal wheel brace and a piece of wood in the early hours of May 12, 2007.

In sentencing, Judge Macknay said the attack was “unjustified and unnecessary”.

PERTH
GIORDANO STOLLEY
as posted here

Day one ..

the following reply was given ...

Thankyou for your enquiry. Council meetings are conducted under the provisions of the City of Gosnells Standing Orders Local Law 2003, a co...