Better latte than never: fight for landmark Goodwill Bridge coffee pit stop grinds to an end

Tenders are closing in the long-brewing battle for one of Brisbane’s smallest and most unique cafes, in a landmark location with daily foot traffic of about 15,000 potential customers.

Bicycle riders and pedestrians cross the Goodwill Bridge.

A BATTLE that has been brewing for almost a year over a popular pit stop for Brisbane’s caffeine-loving commuters is finally grinding to an end.

The fight is almost over for the Goodwill Bridge Kiosk – one of the river city’s smallest and most unique cafes.

Tender applications for the “trustee lease” of the 20sq m space suspended above the depths of Brisbane’s iconic and murky divide close on Tuesday.

The cafe tenancy is a popular coffee stop and midstream meeting spot that features sweeping river and CBD vistas as well as exposure to an average of about 15,000 passers-by a day.

The popular cafe pit stop on Brisbane's Goodwill Bridge.

It was initially put out to tender in April last year through the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy.

But in February this year an invitation for offers “from social enterprises only” to enter into a lease for the kiosk was released by the Queensland Government Accommodation Office, part of the Department of Housing and Public Works.

“To align with the Queensland Government Procurement Policy, this contract will provide a fantastic opportunity for the successful local Social Enterprise to deliver social outcomes to the community,” the invitation on QTenders stated.

The first permit to operate a cafe/kiosk from the unique space on the busy foot bridge was issued in June 2009 and in total there have been three operators.

Business owner Brendan Harrison at his cafe on the Goodwill Bridge in Brisbane.

For several years, it has been home to Brendan’s Cafe, which has developed a loyal following of regular customers.

Last year, owner Brendan Harris said he planned to submit a proposal in a bid to continue his successful cafe business from the landmark location but he did not respond to The Courier-Mail’s calls yesterday.