Amaze Richmond...

Finding your way to the right financial soluction

The task of redeveloping a beloved attraction can be as daunting as finding the right pathway through a maze – but local businessman Dean Coleman was ready to take on the challenge.

Unfortunately, Dean hit a dead-end as he attempted to secure the funds for the redevelopment. Fortunately, MCMF was ready to help guide him through.

The vision

“It took us a long time to get it open.”

Just 30 minutes north of Hobart, the bustling historical township of Richmond is a popular tourist destination in Tasmania – and nestled amongst the town’s attractions and eateries is the Richmond Maze and Tea Rooms. Established in the early 80s, the attraction has delighted and confounded young and old alike.

Yet, the operator of the attraction saw greater potential for the site, and brought in businessman Dean Coleman and his partner to assist. Dean envisioned a complete redesign, with a multi-stage rollout to fully transform the site into something "a-maze-ing" (pardon the pun!).

The redevelopment aimed to create a family-friendly attraction that could host events, strengthen local tourism, and provide employment. The new facility would be a true destination of choice for anyone seeking an enjoyable and unforgettable experience.

The issue

“We were trying to raise finance in a period where banks were becoming risk averse.”

The ambitious plan for Stage 1 included planting and cultivating a brand-new hedge maze – a process that would take six years to complete. The first stage would also feature a cafe, providore, a second timber maze, and parking facilities.

Despite the potential for the attraction to become a significant draw for visitors to Richmond, Dean found that the major banks were becoming increasingly risk-averse in their investments. As a result, it was challenging to secure the required funding.

The solution

“MCMF trust and believe in us.”

We met Dean as the project was approaching the construction phase. As we listened to him describe his vision for the development and its contribution to the community, we were on board! We worked closely with him to develop a tailored lending solution, ensuring the project could progress. Dean deeply appreciates our ongoing support, and describes working with us as an exceptional experience.

After years of hard work, the doors of the renamed ‘Richmond Amaze’ finally opened to the public in April 2022.

The outcome

“We’re talking again with MCMF on doing future expansion.”

The business has now celebrated its first successful year of operation – yet Dean and his team are not resting on their laurels. Planning is well underway for the next stage of the project, including an onsite restaurant, artisan jewellery shop, and a bakery.

We're thrilled to continue supporting the ongoing evolution of Richmond Amaze. From the outset, Dean has impressed us with his vision and foresight - recognising the development’s potential to contribute to Tasmania's tourism and event industry. With Dean at the helm, we're confident that Richmond Amaze will continue to delight and ‘amaze’ visitors for many years to come!