Berry sells Midnight Shift
Iconic gay venue the Midnight Shift has officially changed hands with owner Tim Berry accepting an offer for the business from landlords Arunta Investments.
“Arunta decided the day the case was to go before court that they would settle the matter outside of court,” Berry’s partner Clarence Cruz told Sydney Star Observer.
Cruz said it had been difficult for Berry to accept the offer considering the near two decades he had put into the Midnight Shift.
“Tim owned the business for over 15 years so it was a very hard decision to have to make. It took him until five o’clock this afternoon to make the decision,” Cruz said yesterday.
Cruz said when making the decision they took into account that even if they had won the case, they would have been left dealing with Arunta as their landlords for potentially the next 13 years.
“Weighing the pros and cons of that, Tim decided that it was probably time that [Arunta executive director] Mark Madar gets the place and experiences for himself what it takes to run a pub.”
Cruz said Berry was planning to take it easy for the next year, concentrating his time on his cattle farm, before deciding what the future holds.
Arunta Investments bought the building housing the venue in 2008, leasing it back to the Midnight Shift’s trading company, Bluejoy Pty Ltd.
Arunta took control of the business on July 3 this year on the grounds that outgoings due on June 30 had not been paid. Cruz and Berry were out of the country at the time.
In a court case scheduled for this week, lawyers for Berry were to argue that Arunta had taken control of the venue without the proper notice period.
Arunta Investments is expected to issue a statement about its acquisition of the venue this week but previously stressed to Sydney Star Observer that it had “absolutely no plans to change the Shift from being a gay and lesbian establishment” and that the business would continue as usual under its ownership.
Want to just say that I have been in many places around the world and the Midnight Shift would happen to have the rudest and most arrogant Bar Staff I have ever encountered – The boys/men behind the bar need to drop the attitude after all without the patrons they would not have a job and after all the shift is not all that !!!!!!! need to learn some manners boys – I will always pay for drinks else where in the future as this rudeness is unacceptable – and I will tell and ask others how they feel as well.
Of course, everyone has the right to comment. Oxford Street needs better and livelier gay pubs and a LOT fewer dreary cafes, most of which serve rotten food.
Asquith. I have a right to comment here just as you do. To tell me to obey the rainbow flag is plain “dictatorial” and in a democracy we live in I dont have to “Obey” as you put it. The scene is in a decline. Open more Cafes not dreary clubs I say.
Hang on
Gay Sydney is coming back alive with new clubs that have opened this year : Level 1 (saddle bar), Live + nevermind, from last count there are like about 8 gay clubs on the street! (dont forget Imperial + Clarence in inner west) plus to me the shift is a comfort zone, its still very much men/gay.
Oliver Oxford street is FULL of cafe’s, do you really think we need anymore?? I think you should be more respectful to gay venues, allot of people went through hell for these places so shut your mouth and obey the rainbow flag, even if this place turns into what you call “something new and exciting” im sure you will find fault at that – we all see how you carry on about ANY gay venue that is in the news.
jeeze…
A Sydney icon, as we know it, is over. Tim Berry remains one of the largest philanthropists in our community supporting ACON, the AIDS Trust and children and families living with HIV/AIDS in Cambodia.
As one who has been going to the Shift ( & before then Tropicana ) for years, it is obvious the place needs a complete makeover, & that includes staff & security. More needs to be done to support those who support the Shift, i.e, badge members – e.g, check out the Stonewall & their professional marketing approach & support of VIP card holders.
Hopefully the place will become a nice Cafe or something thats new and exciting and that has style.
I don’t do the scene much these days..But the Shift has always been liek a comfort zone..Lets see how long it takes before it turns straight..Sydney is dying a slow death just like Brisbane did in the Valley back in the 80’s early 90’s..What is going on???
Good Lord, Has it really been over 2 decades since Terry Patterson passed? Aaaah, remember the days when gay venues cared and gave?
Love from Hell xoxoxo