Melbourne family reveal why they are giving away their bar for free

The owners of a Melbourne bar who are giving it away for free have been ‘overwhelmed’ by the response.

Charlotte Tizzard, her brother James Tizzard and her sister-in-law Katie Smith have been the owners of the Hard Rubbish bar in Melbourne for more than six years.

But the trio say they are getting older and ‘life has changed’ for them, which means it is more difficult to run the Hardo, so they looking for ‘younger’ and more ‘energetic’ new owners.

Instead of selling the business to the highest bidder, they will give it away for free to someone who pitches the best plan for the bar, with the hopes of keeping it as a local community staple.

The trio noted it was difficult and expensive enough to start a business without the new owner, or owners, having to pay them too.

Instead of selling the business to the highest bidder, they will give it away for free to someone who pitches the best plan for the bar

They list four reasons for giving away the bar, including ‘because f*** capitalism’.

‘Because not everyone has a spare $100,000 in their bank, especially creative types,’ they said.

‘Because we want to choose and we want our fantastic staff to be able to choose, and because we want our community to help us choose just who takes over their local and what their plans are.

‘Because we’d rather you invested your hard-earned savings into sailing the good ship Hardo into the future than giving it to us rusty barnacles.’

The owners said their business had no debt and turned over a ‘modest’ profit.

Whoever takes over the bar will need to pay for other costs such as staff wages, utilities, suppliers and the landlord.

People can submit their proposal in any form including in writing, a song, a cartoon and interpretative dance.

‘So long as it clearly demonstrates why you think we should give you our bar and what your vision is for the place in the future,’ they said.

The trio noted it was difficult and expensive enough to start a business without the new owner, or owners, having to pay them too

Proposals are due by October 15 and a shortlist of people will then present their ideas during a Q&A in November.

In a social media post, the owners said they had received an ‘overwhelming response’ so far.

‘Remember it´s a whole damn bar, and hospitality is hard work, so we want to see that you´ve put real work into your application,’ they said.

‘Best of luck and we can´t wait to see your fantastic inspiring applications.’