Piper Alderman advises on the acquisition and restructure of iconic hospitality group

Piper Alderman has advised on the acquisition, restructure and refinancing of one of South Australia’s largest family-owned hotel groups, Matthews Hospitality. As part of a succession planning strategy, the group has reshaped its portfolio to ensure the family legacy continues for future generations of hoteliers. The complex deal, which came into effect on 7 September 2020, involved the acquisition of seven of nine Matthews Hospitality venues by siblings Lisa, Scott and Ward Matthews.

The venues remaining part of Matthews Hospitality are the Feathers, Maylands, Buckingham Arms, Eyre, Mount Gambier, Park and South Eastern Hotels, as well as Colhurst House B&B and Witches Brew Liquor. The siblings have retained the company name and brand and the group’s General Manager, Andrew Kemp, is now CEO.

Piper Alderman Partner, Martin Lovell, and Lawyer, Oliver Radan, advised Matthews Hospitality on the deal. They assisted Matthews Hospitality to develop and implement the transition including all aspects of the acquisitions.

Commenting on the deal, Martin Lovell said:

“Matthew Hospitality is an iconic South Australian business that has played an important role in the development of the hospitality industry in the state. We are very proud to have assisted in the acquisition, restructure and refinancing of the group as it moves into its next phase of growth”.

Director and shareholder Lisa Matthews commented:

“The practical, logical, commercial and timely advice we received from our legal team at Piper Alderman, led by Martin Lovell, over the 12 months of our family business transaction was more than impressive. Apart from providing us with the legal advice we needed, the coordination and open dialogue between Pipers and our accountants, bankers, valuers, family members, and the day to day business management team was the key to the successful resolution of our needs”.