^{Last update – 26 – January – 2022}

The story of the Hopetoun Tea Rooms est. 1892 ™ has been one that has yet to be told.

That is until now.

Over the coming months the story of what happened to me and my beloved Hopetoun Tea Rooms will be told on this website. Only the Truth, will be told and I am prepared for the renewed intimidation and threats by the below ‘key players’, to stop me from telling it. I will not be deterred.

My story will include evidence, video, photos, audio, transcripts with no edits and/or redaction.

” If a good man / woman does nothing, evil will prevail “

Root Cause

In 2016, we – FineTea Pty Ltd t/as Hopetoun Tea Rooms est. 1892 ™, undertook a major renovation on the Hopetoun Tea Rooms, completely guttering the kitchen and refreshing the dining room. 95% of the tenancy was upgraded with state of the art equipment to ensure it gave the business a new lease of life for it to be enjoyed by generations to come.

We were closed for 5 weeks.

At the same time, we were working on an additional space within the Block Arcade for the Hopetoun Tea Rooms to expand given the unwavering demand.

It was during this time that the landlord interfered in our expansion project, making a mess of it and totally derailing us.

Our multiple attempts to put the project back on track were rejected and met with threats and intimidation. The consequences of poor and/or calculated decisions made by the landlord, were successfully offloaded onto me.

The landlord not only derailed my project but managed to successfully distance themselves and avoid the consequences and financial burden of their poor choices.

Was this a calculated plan? Absolutely!

The ‘Key Players’

The ‘key players’ that have been instrumental in the loss of the original Hopetoun Tea Rooms est, 1892 ™ are as follows:

• The Block Arcade – the landlord

• Allard Shelton – the landlord’s Managing agent

• du Chateau Chun – Building Surveyor – for the expansion project Hopetoun Tea Rooms (2)

• Lexon Group – landlord’s builder – for the expansion project Hopetoun Tea Rooms (2)

• Tisher Liner FC Law – law firm representing FineTea Pty Ltd t/as Hopetoun Tea Rooms est. 1892 ™

• SV Partners – Administrator / Liquidator appointed by FineTea Pty Ltd t/as Hopetoun Tea Rooms est. 1892 ™

• Tisher Liner FC Law – law firm representing FineTea Pty Ltd t/as Hopetoun Tea Rooms est. 1892 ™
  
• Sinisgalli Foster – law firm representing FineTea Pty Ltd t/as Hopetoun Tea Rooms est. 1892 1892 ™ during Administration / Liquidation
  

Disclosure

I do not fear telling my story, as I do not fear telling the Truth

The content that has been created here, is not based on hearsay and rumors.

All of the content that has been included is supported by contemporaneous evidence. It is no way an attempt to defame anyone. The ‘key players‘ that have been involved have participated in their own defamatory incidents and events.

What the Herald Sun said about this site, and my response

No response from the Block Arcade
since 14th Jan 2022

The truth of the story has not been told. What you have been told are the manufactured stories, in order to remove liability & ensure that they, the ‘key players’, are not incriminated.

I maintain that I was set-up & I will not be silenced. Many attempts by all the ‘key players’ have been made to silence my story. No more.

My story is a timeline of events that occurred, and all of the events are supported by evidence in written, audio, photos and/or video. The supportive evidence are included in the appropriate sections.

All of the ‘key players‘ have got their dedicated pages, on this site, documenting actual events and the Truth, with nothing manufactured to suit a narrative. It is due to their participation that they receive a dedicated page on this site.

The Block Arcade and the landlord has been, and continues to be, instrumental in the media in making sure that FineTea Pty Ltd t/as Hopetoun Tea Rooms est. 1892 ™ & the Koutoumanos family were responsible for their own demise. That is the Cohen narrative.

If I was that bad at running a business, I would have failed in the success of the Hopetoun Tea Rooms a long time ago. Thanks to the interference by the Cohen family and the other ‘key players’ it has been nothing but trouble.

The Koutoumanos family has remained silent, however that silence is now being told below.

I lost my beloved business Hopetoun Tea Rooms est. 1892 ™ due to the greed & corrupt Block Arcade owners & other related parties

A timeline of Events

Starting in March 2010 and ending in March 2020, there are many twists and turns involving landlord interference, unconscionable conduct, conspiracy, corruption, professional misconduct, at a minimum.

The events that occurred below, have been meticulously documented and written in order to stop the rumor mill, that has been created by the media and the landlord – the Block Arcade

Attempting to silence me and my family will be defended at all costs.

I request your support in spreading my story far & wide.

I enjoyed personally looking after each and everyone of you whilst

dining at the Hopetoun Tea Rooms est. 1892 ™, with all of your family & friends.

I would like to thank you all for your numerous emails, phone calls and support, over the years. It has given me and my family strength. I think of you & miss you all.

March 2010

• The purchase of the Hopetoun Tea Rooms by FineTea Pty Ltd t/as Hopetoun Tea Rooms est. 1892 ™ director Kelly Koutoumanos

• Lease was signed with the landlord of the Block Arcade – Dr. John Kearney AM, QC and Mrs. Alison Kearney BA.

• The late Mr. Donald Parsons, was the Block Arcade Manager for 21 years (1993 – 2014), and he was employed by Dr. John Kearney AM, QC.

• The late Mr. Donald Parsons became an avid fan of the Hopetoun Tea Rooms, and my husband and I became very close and personal friends.

• The late Mr. Donald Parsons was a much loved Melbourne figure:
  • Chaired the Police & Community Consultative Committee (PCC) for 20 years
  • Chairperson of the Father’s Day Council
  • President of the Collins Street Precinct
  • Member of he Coalition of Residents & Business Association
  • Secretary at the Melbourne Business Council
  • Supporter of the Royal Children’s Hospital foundation
  • Received a special Melbourne Lord Mayor’s commendation in 2015 for his involvement in retail in the Melbourne City for over 50 years.

• Mr. Donald Parson’s employment was abruptly terminated by Mr. Grant Cohen, on the 17th July 2014 – see more

• Mr. Grant Cohen, noted in questioning under oath, the late Donald Parsons was terminated as Block Arcade manager by Mr. Grant Cohen, 4 hours after meeting him and receiving a handover of his duties.

• 21 years of work at the Block Arcade, all handed over in 4 hours. Really?

• Mr. Grant Cohen, specifically requested that Mr. Donald Parsons was no longer welcome at the Block Arcade, and security at the Block Arcade were to evict Mr. Donald Parsons should he ever attend.

April 2013

• The Kearney family provided a contribution of $200K , in the form of a “Lease Variation” to FineTea Pty Ltd t/as Hopetoun Tea Rooms est. 1892 for, the overhaul of the extraction system in the basement kitchen of the Hopetoun Tea Rooms.

• The overhaul of the Extraction System would need to be authorised and approved by the landlord Dr. John Kearney upon presentation of appropriate Engineering and Technical plans.

• The extraction system ran from the basement kitchen of the Hopetoun Tea Rooms of the Block Arcade, via the external and internal walls, all the way to the roof-top (above the 4th floor) of the Block Arcade.

October 2013

• Dr. John Kearney AM, QC passes away peacefully at home with Alison and family at his side.

December 2013

• The Block Arcade is listed for sale for the first time in 20 years by Allard Shelton Real Estate, the managing agent of the Block Arcade.

April 2014

• The Block Arcade has been sold to the Cohen family.

• All variation to leases at the time, were accepted as part of the contract of Sale by the Cohens.

• The Block Arcade had 27 retailers at the time, and one founding tenant, in position for over 100 years the Hopetoun Tea Rooms est. 1892 ™

• Many long-term tenants were soon lost from the Block Arcade after a regime of Allard Shelton-led rent increases – between 2014 & 2020.

• Tenants that were lost included:
  • Antiquorium, Anton Jewelry, Australia by Design, Beechworth Honey, Beechworth Lollies, Bromley & Co. , Block Arcade Hairdressers, BUPA, Camper, Cellini Jewelers, Crabtree and Evelyn, Cresswick Wool, Dafel Dolls, Downie’s Auctions, Downie’s Coins, Duomo Restaurant, Haighs – shop2, Hopetoun Tea Rooms est. 1892 ™, Hunt Leather, Linda Garringe Bridal, MCM Fashions, Royal Selangor, Skin Deep, Sohum Essence, Telstra, Van der Tooren Photos, Very Very

July 2014

• 17th July 2014 – The late Mr. Donald Parsons – Block Arcade Manager for 21 years (1993 – 2014), was terminated within 4 hours of handover by Mr. Grant Cohen.

• Mr. Grant Cohen, instructed security at the Block Arcade, to evict Mr. Donald Parsons at anytime, he attended the Block Arcade.

• Mr. Donald Parsons confided in me and my husband to ensure that he continued to attend the Hopetoun Tea Rooms with one of us in attendance at all times to ensure that we dealt with any disputes with Mr. Grant Cohen and/or the security at the Block Arcade.

• Updates coming soon

October 2015

• FineTea Pty Ltd signed a lease for Shop 13 and Basement for the expansion of Hopetoun Tea Rooms (2)

• The Hopetoun Tea Rooms est. 1892 ™ as a result would have Shop 1 & 2 – retail space – located at the Collins Street end of the Block Arcade, and

• Shop 13 and Basement (x Downie’s Auction Rooms) located at the Elizabeth Street end of the Block Arcade.

April 2016

• Updates coming soon.

May 2016

• 8th May 2016 – Hopetoun Tea Rooms closed for major renovations (to the basement kitchen and upstairs dining) the day after Mother’s Day.

June 2016

• 10th June 2016 – The renovations were completed by building firm Blueprint Commercial

• 11th June 2016 – Hopetoun Tea Rooms re-opened for dining – due to renovations from the 9th May 2016.

• 15th June 2016 – Lexon Group resumed on-site of Hopetoun Tea Rooms (2)

• Ongoing disputes arose between FineTea Pty Ltd and Lexon Group

August 2016

• 25th August 2016 – Lexon Group were requested to leave the project site Hopetoun Tea Rooms (2) by FineTea Pty Ltd as a dispute arose between trades over completed works on site

• 26th August 2016 – FineTea Pty Ltd informed Lexon Group, Allard Shelton, The Block Arcade that the site would be independently inspected by a Building Inspection firm.

• 30th August 2016 – Received letters from Allard Shelton c/o the Block Arcade – intimidation and threats (coming soon copies of the letters)

November 2016

• The Block Arcade c/o Allard Shelton attempted presented FineTea Pty Ltd with a new deed of variation of leases for the Hopetoun Tea Rooms (Basement / Shop13, and Shop 1 & 2) which included the removal of the $200K contribution provided to us by the previous landlord Dr. John Kearney AM QC in April 2013

• FineTea Pty Ltd disputed and would not agree to the removal of the $200K contribution as a variation to the lease.

• The extraction system, was a landlord asset – as per the lease – and the Cohens wanted to void the $200k contribution at all costs.

(later in the November 2016)

• The Cohens were instrumental in leading a claim for compensation – “Bold Metro Tunnel compensation bid”

• In summary the consortium of owners, led by the Cohens, who owned the Nicholas Building, issued a claim to the Melbourne Metro Rail Authority, that they had a planning application with the City of Melbourne to develop the Nicholas building to the cost of $12 million dollars

• An application and a cheque of $8,189.80 had been made to the Melbourne City Council by Allard Shelton. The cheque was to cover the permit fee.

• Allard Shelton was registered to make submissions to the planning panel panel, in relation to the planned $12 million renovations, but failed to do so.

• The Cohen led claim, was an attempt to receive compensation from the govt. on renovations that were supposedly planned, but could not be executed due to the Melbourne Metro Tunnel project, hence a “bold Metro tunnel compensation bid”

December 2016

• More to come…. (updates are occurring daily)

May 2017

• Mr. Donald Parsons – passes away

• The memorial service of Mr. Donald Parsons, and the incident that occurred inside the Scots’ Church.

• More to come…. (updates are occurring daily) – why Mr. Grant Cohen and Mr. Patrick Barnes were ejected from the Scots’ Church.