NightQuarter in Birtinya could get a second life with new owners

The collapsed NightQuarter entertainment hub could be set for a second life if a deal with a ‘well established’ local venue operator goes through. Find out their plans here.

Nightquarter on the Sunshine Coast shocked locals when it suddenly closed last year.

Popular entertainment precinct NightQuarter in Birtinya could be set for a second life as a deal with a local and “well established” Sunshine Coast business owner progresses.

The entertainment hub closed suddenly in November 2022, as its parent company Food Focus Australia Pty Ltd went into administration with insolvency firm SV Partners appointed as administrator.

It was later revealed in Australian Securities and Investments Commission documents that there were claims of up to $7.4m worth of debt.

The directors Ian Van der Woude and Michelle Christoe cited multiple setbacks due to Covid-19 restrictions and poor crowd numbers as reasons for the closure of the award-winning Sunshine Coast venue.

NightQuarter had previously called the Westfield at Helensvale on the Gold Coast home, before the award-winning venue closed there in 2019 and moved to Birtinya in 2020.

An expression of interest campaign to take over NightQuarter was launched in December 2022 and closed on February 28, 2023.

Slattery Auctions general manager James Rouse, who managed the campaign, said a handful of interested parties, including some interstate, had been narrowed down to one Sunshine Coast venue operator that was “well-credentialed” and “well-established”.

“There was some interstate interest which has fallen by the wayside but the local party has pretty much been there since day one,” he said

“They have expressed considerable interest and we are progressing negotiations.”

James Rouse from Slattery Auctions.

Mr Rouse had to keep a lid on a lot of the details due to the ongoing negotiations but he said that all parties involved were hopeful that the deal would get over the line.

“They do own other venues but I can’t go into detail,” he said.

“I would like to think that there might be a deal done over the next month to six weeks and there will be a period of time before it is open for business again but it is difficult to put a definitive timeline on it.

“It’s certainly a long way from being locked in but everyone involved is keen to see something happen.”

Mr Rouse said the current proposal would keep the precinct operating as an entertainment hub, with a few changes thrown in.

“The live music and food, if this proposal were to proceed, would certainly remain but these guys have brought a couple of other things to the table which potentially will add value as an entertainment precinct,” he said