Bronwyn and Jessica Payne

PHOTO: Bronwyn and Jessica Payne

After weeks of speculation, the new owners of the iconic Ponsonby restaurant SPQR have been revealed. Sisters Bronwyn and Jess Payne, well-known in the hospitality scene, officially took over the establishment last Wednesday.

One of NZ’s most iconic restaurants is in liquidation.

The Payne sisters, who also own Hoppers Garden Bar and Elmo’s on Ponsonby Road, now add SPQR to their portfolio, creating a notable trio of venues in the area.

In a press release, the new ownership was described as a fresh start for SPQR, promising to infuse the venue with “sophistication, spontaneity, and theatricality” while reimagining it as a hub of inner-city escapism.

SPQR was put into liquidation in July for tax arrears. Photo / Alex BurtonSPQR was put into liquidation in July for tax arrears. Photo / Alex Burton

Last Thursday, liquidators confirmed that the site of SPQR had been leased and the restaurant’s chattels sold to an existing operation, though they initially withheld the identity of the new operators. The Payne sisters were later announced as the new proprietors in the official release.

The sisters, who were guest judges on My Kitchen Rules New Zealand, expressed both their sorrow at SPQR’s closure and excitement about reviving the beloved restaurant. They plan to honor the legacy of the site while introducing fresh, vibrant elements to the space.

SPQR will remain closed until Christmas for extensive renovations, with the Payne sisters hinting at “incredible surprises” for its reopening. They assured longtime patrons that the famous copper bar, a fixture of SPQR’s history, will stay in place.

The restaurant, which was placed into liquidation in July due to tax arrears, has been a Ponsonby landmark for 32 years. Six years ago, the Payne sisters transformed the former Golden Dawn venue into Hoppers Garden Bar, a quirky botanical escape. They launched Elmo’s, an upscale pizza restaurant, in 2019 as a passion project inspired by their European upbringing.

Bronwyn and Jessica Payne already own Hoppers and Elmo’s on Ponsonby Rd and the sisters were guest judges on My Kitchen Rules New Zealand.Bronwyn and Jessica Payne already own Hoppers and Elmo’s on Ponsonby Rd and the sisters were guest judges on My Kitchen Rules New Zealand.

In addition to their hospitality ventures, the Payne sisters run an online fashion business called Kynn, specializing in shapewear and shaping underwear.

With SPQR’s reopening on the horizon, the Payne sisters are set to continue their influence on Ponsonby’s dining scene, creating spaces that transport guests into immersive and unforgettable experiences.

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SOURCE: NZHERALD