Flagstaff Hill Cafe and Convention Centre closes after one year

A cafe in a brand new public-funded building offering 360 views of the Whitsundays Islands has closed only a year after its opening, surprising local councillors. So what’s next?

The owners of Jockheim’s pies in Bowen had also been operating the Flagstaff Hill Cafe and Convention Centre.

A cafe in a council building that offers 360 views of the Whitsunday Islands has closed on Monday only a year after its opening.

Whitsunday Regional Council councillors said the news came as a surprise as they had learned about the closure on Facebook like everyone else.

Tuan and Vi, who also own Jockheim’s pies in Bowen, have been operating the Flagstaff Hill Cafe and Convention Centre since Sunday 31 July 2022.

On September 9, they posted on their Facebook page informing their customers that the cafe would close indefinitely from the next Monday.

“Our last day of trade will be Sunday 10th September from 8am – 3pm,” the post read.

This publication contacted them for comment but they declined.

Cr Mike Brunker said the cafe “had stayed shut for a long time” before it had opened last year and that it “might take a while” to find new operators.

The Flagstaff Hill Cafe in Bowen offers patrons a stunning panorama view of the region. Picture: Contributed

‘SURPRISE TO US ALL’

Hundreds of comments on Facebook reacted to the news with surprise and sadness.

“No! We love it there so much. Great food and customer service. An asset to our community!” Megan Chudleigh posted.

David Portersmith was wondering if the booking they had made for the Sunday after would be cancelled.

The cafe responded to the comment saying all bookings would be cancelled from September 10 and apologised for any inconvenience.

Councillor Mike Brunker said he had learned about the news on Facebook. “It was a surprise to us all,” he said.

Mayor Julie Hall said the current operators of the restaurant had decided to close prior to the end of their lease period.

She said at this point in time no discussion with the owner had been engaged regarding the closure.

“I can clarify that the lease conditions or minimal rent charged by Council has never been raised as an issue by the operator,” Mayor Hall said.

Whitsunday Regional Council mayor Julie Hall says the closure of Bowen’s Flagstaff Hill Cafe and Convention Centre came as a surprise. Picture: Facebook

CAFE HAD BEEN ‘EXPERIENCING TROUBLES’

The operation of the Cafe and Convention centre appears to have come with its share of challenges.

Mayor Julie Hall said council had received complaints from community members regarding the difficulty to book “any type of function or wedding at the Convention Centre”.

Ms Hall said there had been complaints sent by customers at the state government level as well.

“Council had also assigned officers on several occasions to assist the lessee with some of the operational areas they were experiencing troubles with in an attempt to ensure the smooth running of the facility for the operators and community,” she said.

NEW BUILDING EMERGED AFTER CYCLONE

Flagstaff Hill Cafe and Convention Centre was rebuilt from scratch after the existing cafe was destroyed as a result of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie.

Flagstaff Hill Cafe, Bowen. Picture: Contributed

The old building had been demolished in 2019, and the construction of a new one had started in 2020.

WRC said the project was funded by both state and federal governments, with council receiving support from two different programs.

The Whitsunday Regional Council had published on its website that the finished building could cater for up to 200 patrons, and contained a cafe, kitchen, gift shop and an amphitheatre.

Cr Mike Brunker said that the brand new building had “stayed shut for a long time” after its official opening and hadn’t been leased until July 31 2022.

He said he was hoping the building could be subleased to new operators as soon as possible but that it might be “closed for a while”.