Riverscape Restaurant stand-off may soon come to an end
Hope is dawning that a new tenant may finally occupy a long-abandoned building in a prime position on Murray Bridge’s riverfront.
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A resolution is approaching in the years-long saga of an empty building on Murray Bridge’s riverfront.
The former Riverscape Restaurant quietly closed in 2021, during the era when COVID-related capacity limits made it difficult for so many hospitality businesses to make a profit.
The council-owned building has sat there, gathering dust, ever since.
But now an end to the embarrassment is in sight.
Murray Bridge’s councillors resolved on Tuesday night to open an expression of interest process to find a new tenant for the property.
The council will look for someone who can make it into:
- a destination which will attract tourists
- something which will complement the nearby community club and steakhouse
- a source of revenue for the council
- a business able to keep up with public demand during school holidays
A cafe or restaurant of some kind would be ideal, the council’s city assets manager suggested.
The council was already aware of interest from several parties, she said.
Riverscape’s former operators had already had a tough time before COVID-19.
A fire which started in a pizza oven caused $500,000 worth of damage to the restaurant in 2019.
Its tables, chairs and kitchen equipment were all left in the building until last November, when they were auctioned off by Lloyds Auctioneers and Valuers in Adelaide.
Correction: Councillors met on Tuesday night, not Monday, because of the public holiday.
