Popular Shingle Inn CBD cafe goes under amid coronavirus lockdowns

The franchisee operating a popular Shingle Inn cafe in Brisbane‘s CBD has gone bust, joining a growing list of retailers in the area falling victim to the COVID-19 downturn.

Waitresses carrying trays at Brisbane's original Shingle Inn tearoom in Edward Street

The franchisee operating a popular Shingle Inn cafe in Brisbane’s CBD has gone bust, joining a growing list of retailers in the area falling victim to the COVID-19 downturn.
Worrells Solvency and Forensic Accountants partner Nikhil Khatri was appointed liquidator of Tafani Corporation Australia, trading as Shingle Inn Brisbane Square, on Monday.

Mr Khatri said the company’s debts included $145,000 owed to the Shingle Inn franchisor, which related to outstanding rent for the cafe’s leased premises at Brisbane Square, a retail and commercial office building in Ann St.

“The director attributed the insolvency of the company to the impact of the global pandemic,” Mr Khatri said.

A spokeswoman for the Shingle Inn Franchising Office said the Brisbane Square outlet had closed “because it was at the end of it’s lease.”

Founded in Brisbane’s Edward St in 1936, the Shingle Inn now has more than 20 outlets around the country.
The Bellchambers family, who continue to operate the Shingle Inn chain, took ownership in 1975.

CBD cafes, restaurants and retailers have been among the hardest hit during COVID-19 as large numbers of office employees worked from home.

Waitresses carrying trays at Brisbane's original Shingle Inn tearoom in Edward Street circa 1999. Picture: Supplied

Worrells has also been appointed liquidator of a company which had operated the Communal Bar & Eat House and Cafe Brisbane, also at Brisbane Square.

Elsewhere in the CBD, Mr Khatri is handling the liquidation of the UGGS Boots retail outlet in the Queen St Mall and Ohana Trading Australia, which had operated the Ohana Juice Bar in the Myer Centre.

Mr Khatri said company directors attributed the insolvency of the companies to the impacts of the global pandemic.

He said he expected many businesses that had relied on Jobkeeper would start to feel increased financial pressure with the ending of the support measure this week.
“There is likely to be deferred debts to landlords and the Australian Taxation Office, among others,” Mr Khatri said.
“It is critical that businesses in this position seek professional advice as early as possible from qualified and experienced insolvency practitioners, being registered trustees and registered liquidators.
“In many scenarios, better outcomes are reached where there has been early intervention.”