Latest news with #Armadillos
Otago Daily Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Hospitality chain takes over Lyttelton Club
The financially troubled Lyttelton Club will be taken over by the Armadillos restaurant chain from August. The 153-year-old club will lease its Dublin St premises to the South Island hospitality chain, which has committed to retaining all current staff. Details on membership options for existing club members are expected to be announced in the coming months. Under the new arrangement, the club will operate as The Lyttelton Tavern and Armadillos Lyttelton as part of the South Island-based chain. A meeting was held in March to discuss future options for the club after the governance committee said it lacked enough support from members and could not remain open. 'Despite (our) best efforts, there is not enough support for the club to remain open. We understand circumstances can change, but the lack of engagement and involvement from the broader membership base has ultimately led to this decision,' governance group member Steve Gallop said in an email to members in February. Speaking to The Star this week, Gallop said a 'declining and ageing membership' meant leasing the building to Armadillos was the best financial option. After The Star revealed in February the club's plans to close, governance group member Dwayne Pool said the original email 'said nothing about the club closing or being in financial difficulty' and claimed the media misrepresented the situation. However, the email clearly stated the club would be weighing up options, but 'either way, the Lyttelton Club will close'. It is not the first time the club has experienced financial woes. It came close to shutting in December 2022 due to pandemic-related pressures and insurance issues. Leasing was a proposed option in the March meeting along with a full sale or turning the building into a community centre. Under the new arrangement, some areas of the building, such as its private function venue, may stay under the operation of the club but this has not yet been determined, Gallop said. The exact structure and future of the club as an entity is also up in the air and will be decided on by members before the August rebrand. 'We feel this is an exciting new opportunity for Lyttelton and it means the building will continue to be used by the community,' Gallop said. The venue will be renovated and will feature a new menu. A new patrons club will also be launched, offering benefits to long-time members and newcomers alike, with more details to come. The venue will remain open during the transition. 'We're thrilled to be joining the Lyttelton community,' said Tony Crosbie, Armadillos Hospitality Group managing director. 'This venue has a rich history and loyal following, and we're committed to maintaining that strong community feel while giving the space some modern touches.'
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
2 new Almost Heaven swings brought to north central WV
CLARKSBURG, (WBOY) — The West Virginia Department of Tourism has announced the installation of three new Almost Heaven swings, two of which can be found in north central West Virginia. According to a press release from the department, Tygart Lake State Park in Taylor County and Valley Falls State Park in Marion County have both seen the addition of new Almost Heaven swings, which make for popular photo spots across the Mountain State. West Virginia Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby is hopeful the new swings will encourage people to enjoy and share the outdoors of West Virginia. 'It is so exciting to see folks traveling from near and far to visit our Almost Heaven swings,' Ruby said in the release. 'These make the perfect photo-op for folks to enjoy during their spring travels and beyond. Now is the perfect time to plan your spring trip to the Mountain State!' Armadillos could expand into West Virginia If you visit one of these swings, you are encouraged to share any pictures you take to social media using #AlmostHeaven. Another swing was added to Sportsman's Park in Wirt County. There are now 36 Almost Heaven swings in West Virginia. You can see a full list of locations and find one near you on the West Virginia tourism website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
