Candyman Travers Beynon’s socials and sites offline amid queries over Free Choice empire
A few short years ago, you couldn’t open your phone without seeing a photo of multi-millionaire Travers Beynon, the notorious tobacco heir and self-styled playboy. Now he’s vanished.
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What happened to the Candyman?
Where did he go? Did he ever really exist?
A few short years ago, you couldn’t open your phone without seeing a photo of multi-millionaire Travers Beynon, 53, the notorious tobacco heir and self-styled playboy.
Candyman and his near-naked harem covered in cream; Candyman power boating around the Gold Coast; Candyman hosting parties for hundreds of doting fans; Candyman leading his wife around by her bikini strings like a dog.
Such precious family memories.
But now the empire has been stubbed out, with his cluster of “wives” and legendary parties consigned to social media flashbacks.
Beynon’s Instagram profile, which once boasted more than a million followers, is offline, as is his Candyshopmansion website.
His luxury speedboat – which suffered a “partial submersion” in an apparent marine accident – sold at auction in 2022.
Beynon himself could not be contacted, although he has been spotted jogging on the northern Gold Coast in recent months.
So was the Candyman just a mascot designed to boost the family’s Free Choice tobacco stores?
Whatever it was, the wannabe AFL player’s transition from Candyman to just another “Trav from the Gold Coast” has stalled, with his 14-bedroom “Candyshop Mansion” languishing on the market after almost three years.
The 14-bedroom behemoth at 36 River Cove Place in Helensvale is still the registered address of Beynon’s Free Choice companies, according to ASIC records.
He was initially hoping to nab $25m for the home – which features murals of himself on the walls and ceilings, and one tiled into the pool for good measure.
In 2024 he slashed his expectations to $18-20m.
Now, it’s back on the market with a third dose of real estate agents and no price tag at all.
Interestingly, the Beynon family’s tobacco store empire also appears to be retreating – with its main website taken offline sometime since March this year.
While individual Free Choice stores are still operating, the Gold Coast head office has been vacated and in February was leased out to a different company.
One of Beynon’s companies still owns the building.
Meanwhile, Trevor Beynon – father of Travers – is no longer a director of two key companies in the Free Choice empire he founded - they are now solely directed by his son.
Citybeat hears there is much more to come on this matter – watch this space.
New stadium boss
Global stadium guru Darren Burden has been announced the new general manager of Suncorp Stadium.
He will take the reins later this year from Alan Graham, who’s held the position for more than 20 years and will retire in July.
The announcement was made by entertainment heavyweight Harvey Lister, CEO of stadium operator Legends ASM, who said Burden had “successfully delivered the ‘latest stadium’ in the world, in Hong Kong, and will now assume responsibility for what is universally recognised as the greatest Rugby League Stadium in the world”.
Burden will leave his current role as executive director at Hong Kong’s new Kai Tak Sports Park.
Virgin partnership flying
Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways are set to formally commence flights from Brisbane Airport today and Corporate Traveller global managing director Tom Walley reckons it will mean some solid deals for travellers.
“It brings more choice, better international travel pricing, and opens Australia up to a world class offering – particularly for connections through to London,” Mr Walley said.
“It’s likely we’ll see competitor carriers push hard to maintain their market share by bolstering their services and sharpening their prices.”
Here’s hoping.
Got any business gossip? Send it to kathleen.skene@news.com.au
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