Auckland’s SPQR restaurant placed in liquidation

Friday, 12 July 2024

Auckland restaurant SPQR is set to close after over 30 years.

The restaurant became somewhat of an icon on Ponsonby Road since its opening in 1992.

Liquidators confirmed the closure on Friday saying SPQR was no longer trading.

SPQR, an iconic restaurant on Auckland’s Ponsonby Road, has closed its doors to diners after 32 years.

Liquidators from PKR Insolvency were appointed to the business on Thursday afternoon and confirmed it is no longer trading.

Co-liquidator Stephen Lawrence said the restaurant was struggling with the amount of discretionary spending people have currently.

“The industry is struggling post-Covid. The general hikes that we are all seeing which do pass on to the public and the hospo industry,” he told Stuff.

“Whether it be wages, other overheads, the food they buy, as we all know it’s increased.

“Coupled with the current economic climate that we are facing with increased interest rates… discretionary spending in the hospo industry is tight.”

Co-liquidator Chris McCullagh said the hospitality industry was dealing with a “perfect storm”.

“You’ve got a perfect storm with the cost of living crisis, less discretionary spending, high interest rates also having a squeeze on discretionary household spending,” he said.

“The costs of doing business are high, whether it’s purchases or whether it’s staffing costs, so hospitality in particular is being squeezed from both sides.”

He said a downturn in the number of people going out and staffing difficulties was impacting the industry.

“While obviously it’s not really as bad as it was in the immediate post Covid period where there were serious staff shortages, it is still hard to find staff, and that’s adding to the issues as well.”

In a stament, SPQR owner Chris Rupe told Stuff he appreciated the support the restaurant had received.

'Thanks for much for your understanding, Aucklanders. I know you loyally share the love I've had for SPQR for the past 27 years.“

'In the meantime, please spread your patronage around other locally owned hospo businesses and show your support for the challenging but highly rewarding job they do,“ Rupe said.

SPQR has drawn celebrities over the years, most notable Mick Jagger and members of the British band Duran Duran.

Another Ponsonby eatery Chapel Bar & Bistro was placed in receivership earlier this month.