News

The owners of the Captain Cook Tavern want to throw in the beer-soaked tea towel, and have secretly approached the University of Otago asking to be bought out.
Critic understands that The Cook owners approached the University asking if it wanted to buy them out, after the University reportedly paid $1.7 million for Gardies.

Unlike Gardies, however, The Cook does not sit on freehold land and the lease from DB Breweries is set to expire in the next few years.
The University was not interested, but informed OUSA of the offer to see if they were. Critic understands that OUSA is yet to make a final decision.
Multiple sources, who asked to remain anonymous because they have not been authorised to speak to the media, have confirmed this.
OUSA President Harriet Geoghegan declined to comment for this story, saying she was bound by a confidentiality agreement.
The University's Chief Operating Officer John Patrick was similarly unresponsive. “We are not prepared to comment on whether we have received an approach from the owners or operators of The Cook,” he told Critic in a statement. “However, we do wish to make it clear that the University is not interested in purchasing The Captain Cook Tavern.”
The University’s disinterest in purchasing the iconic student bar challenges the well-publicised belief that it is intent on shutting down all remaining aspects of the so-called ‘Scarfie’ culture. The University faced such criticism following its purchases of Gardies and The Bowler. 
The relationship between The Cook and the University has long been strained. The University opposed its liquor license renewal and forced it to put an end to the popular Cookathon. 
However, according to Geoghegan, the University Council had become increasingly receptive to the idea that The Cook needs to stay, recognising the importance of students drinking in a “controlled environment.” 
The Cook has been under the same kind of pressures that forced the owners of Gardies to recently sell up. For an article on Scarfie culture, Cook owner Richard McLeod told Critic that only one in four people that enter the bar buy a drink. “We’re totally passionate about North Dunedin, I’ve got a long family tradition of studying at Otago University, I love that we have The Cook there and it's up and running,” he said.
When Critic approached McLeod with this story he denied that any negotiations to sell had taken place. “It’s news for us,” he said. “The Cook is not for sale.”
“I’ve had rumours for the last twelve months that we’re selling it, so you can go for it if you want, but we haven’t approached the University regarding buying it.”