Banc Brasserie in Brisbane’s CBD closes amid economic struggles

A former rugby player and prominent publican claims a move by Brisbane City Council was the ‘final nail in the coffin’ for his struggling restaurant which accumulated huge debts.

A European-themed restaurant owned by a former rugby player and prominent publican in Brisbane’s CBD has closed with debts of more than half a million dollars.

Liquidators were last week appointed for MJN Hospitality which trades as Banc Brasserie in Brisbane’s Queen Street with its high-profile owner blaming a triple whammy of factors behind the collapse.

Documents lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission showed the company is directed by Nick Grzegorzewski, who goes by Nick Gregorski.

Mr Gregorski, a former New South Wales Waratahs star, blamed the company’s demise on several economic factors.

But in a raw interview with The Sunday-Mail, Mr Gregorski said the “final nail in the coffin” had come from Brisbane City Council.

He said the council’s renovation works on the Queen St Mall, just metres from Banc Brasserie’s front door, had effectively killed off evening trade.

Banc Brasserie & Wine Bar Picture Supplied

“I think the economy overall has been struggling as a whole. But for five months, council decided to rip up the top end of Queen St, just two metres from our front door,” Mr Gregorski said.

“Jack hammers, machines, every night. I reckon for a good five months, to our detriment.

“We did have discussions with the council but my wife and I over that period estimated we were down about 70 per cent.”

The prominent publican whose previous ventures include Brisbane’s Port Office and Alliance hotels said the past few years had been the toughest period in his 30-plus years in hospitality.

“It’s a beautiful restaurant and we tried to do all the right things… but it is has been the toughest period I’ve ever seen,” he said.

“The work from home push, four days a week, plenty of people in our lives are having to work from home. It hasn’t helped the city at all.

“Plenty of others are struggling too.”

Liquidator Cameron Crichton of Grant Thornton said about $528,000 “appeared” to be owed to unsecured creditors with the vast majority to the Australian Taxation Office.

Mr Crichton said all employee leave entitlements of the 15 staff had been paid in full and that payment plans were in place for outstanding superannuation entitlements.

“Liquidators are currently determining the quantum of outstanding superannuation and will advise staff of some in due course,” Mr Crichton said.

Mr Crichton said the business appeared to have struggled to generate the expected levels of revenue after opening in November 2021.

He confirmed the liquidators would not trade Banc Brasserie and that it ceased operations on December 24.

Nick Gregorski - Photo Steve Pohlner

Deputy Mayor Krista Adams said the council had worked with the restaurant and had waived its footpath dining permit fees during the renovation works on the mall.

Cr Adams said argued the council had to complete works at night to reduce the impacts on residents and businesses.

“Council also worked with Banc Brasserie to adjust the works schedule to reduce impacts to their business,” Cr Adams said.

“Banc Brasserie was a registered key stakeholder for this project and received regular updates and works notifications.”

It comes amid warnings that Queensland’s hospitality, retail and tourism sectors will come under increased pressure this quarter as the full impact of aggressive interest rate rises flushes through the Australian economy.