Perth pub empire fights for survival as debts top $7.2 million
Perth publican John Parker’s bar and restaurant empire is fighting for survival after a drawn-out ownership split left the business unable to meet multimillion-dollar debts.
Administrators have been appointed to three entities within the Parker Group stable, covering venues including The Royal, Willi's Pizza Bar, Ciao Dandy and the Busselton Pavilion in WA's South West. Court documents and administrator reports cited by AFR Weekend show the companies have amassed debts exceeding $7.2 million, with the Australian Tax Office (ATO) and ANZ among the largest creditors. The group employs almost 100 staff and holds more than $1.2 million in assets.
Administrators Jack James and Paula Smith of Rodgers Reidy have been granted approval to call for bids on Ciao Dandy and Busselton Pavilion after Parker failed to put forward a deal to retain them. Parker has separately contributed $850,000 from an unidentified financier to pull his flagship venue, The Royal Perth, out of administration. The 700-person CBD venue, housed in an 1880s gold rush-era building, was the subject of a $13 million restoration Parker completed in 2019. Administrators found The Royal Perth was likely insolvent as early as January 2024.
Sources close to the process told AFR Weekend, on condition of anonymity, that Parker still hoped to save the other two entities, though their fate largely rests with the ATO. Parker has also committed to repaying an additional $125,000 to the companies.
Publicly, Parker has described the situation as a straightforward restructure. "It's business as usual within the venue – same team, same offering," he said in a statement. "Looking forward to many more years [of] trade."
The administration follows Parker assuming sole control of the business empire he had shared with his former wife, Jessica Parker, after their holding company was dissolved earlier this year following protracted divorce proceedings. An administrator's report obtained by AFR Weekend indicates Parker had intended to restructure the business, but its liabilities proved too great.
A sale process, including the transfer of liquor licences and securing landlord approval for new tenants, could take up to three months, the court was told. Justice Gary Cobby has allowed administrators additional time to open expressions of interest from September 19, with bids to be considered in mid-December, ruling that a sale would deliver a higher return to creditors than liquidation.
The setback marks a significant reversal for Parker, a third-generation publican who grew up in New Zealand and worked in hospitality in London and Melbourne before relocating to Perth to open Northbridge venue The Standard in 2012. He went on to become one of WA's most prominent hospitality figures, named operator of the year in 2021, with The Royal Hotel cementing his reputation as an award-winning developer. Parker Group expanded to Busselton in 2024 and opened dining venture Supper Club, but closed fine dining restaurant Fleur four months ago.
Creditors of The Wellington Perth Pty Ltd, trading as The Royal Perth, are scheduled to meet on Thursday.
Jonathan Jackson, 15th September 2026
