GEORGE NEWS - The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has opened the tender process for the long-term lease, refurbishment and operation of the Victoria Bay restaurant, following the eviction of its former tenant after a lengthy legal battle.
The tender was published on Tuesday 13 October, inviting interested parties to submit proposals for a lease period of nine years and 11 months.
The tender, GRDM/15/26-27, includes the upgrading, refurbishment and operation of the restaurant, situated on a portion of Farm 195 Kraaibosch, overlooking the popular Victoria Bay beach.
Prospective operators have until 18 November to submit their proposals.
Legal battle ends
The announcement follows the departure of the restaurant’s former operator, Byxiscan (Pty) Ltd, trading as Vikki’s at the Beach, which vacated the municipal premises on 31 July.
As George Herald previously reported, the eviction followed a protracted dispute over the expiry of the lease agreement and unpaid rental. The lease initially commenced on 1 November 2019 for three years and was subsequently extended until 31 May 2023.
In May this year, the Western Cape High Court ruled that the lease had expired and that the tenant’s continued occupation of the premises was unlawful. The court also noted that rental had not been paid for at least three years, prejudicing the public purse.
The Victoria Bay restaurant, for which the Garden Route District Municipality has invited tenders for a long-term lease, refurbishment and operation. Photo: Dorothy Ings
The Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed the tenant’s application for leave to appeal on 16 July, bringing the litigation over occupation of the premises to an end.
At the time, the municipality confirmed that rental arrears remained outstanding and that it would pursue lawful processes to recover the debt.
New operator sought
Following the eviction, the municipality indicated that it would initiate the necessary administrative processes to secure a new tenant through a fair and legally compliant process. The latest tender marks the next step towards bringing the restaurant back into operation.
A compulsory briefing session for prospective bidders is scheduled at the Victoria Bay restaurant at 10:00 on Tuesday 27 October.
The tender closes at 11:00 on Wednesday 18 November. Interested parties can access the advertisement and tender documentation on the municipality’s website, www.gardenroute.gov.za, under Current Tenders (Formal).
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
