Toombul community concert planned as shopping centre demolition gathers pace

As the demolition of Brisbane’s landmark Toombul Shopping Centre is gathering pace, the owner of its once-famous music store has revealed details of a commemorative “concert’’. SEE THE PICTURES

Demolition of Brisbane’s landmark Toombul Shopping Centre is gathering pace as the owner of its once-famous music store has revealed details of a commemorative video “concert’’.

After months of preliminary work, Rosenlund Contractors this week stepped up the very public dismantling of the beloved northside centre, fronting busy Sandgate Rd.

The post office, Reject Shop, Aldi, Meridian Care, Ed’s Computers and Godfreys stores have gone, with the cinema and some other upstairs tenancies next.

Demolition works at Toombul Shopping Centre. Thursday April 18, 2024. Picture, John Gass

The Toombul sign, which replaced the centre’s landmark Big T, would now come down on April 23 and April 24 after rain last month delayed its removal.

Owners Mirvac were forced to raze the building, one of the first “big box’’ shopping centres in Australia, after extensive black mould damage caused in the February, 2022 flood.

Mirvac expected demolition to be finished by early next year.

Re-development plans have not yet been revealed, but Mirvac has flagged public green space, residential and a smaller retail component would likely all be in the mix.

The post office, Reject Shop, Aldi, Meridian Care, Ed’s Computers and Godfreys stores have gone. Picture: John Gass

The latest works came as longtime Toombul Music owner Barry Bull, who used his industry expertise to attract a string of big acts from Kiss’ Gene Simmons to John Farnham, revealed details of a community “concert’’ to remember those heady days.

Mr Bull said the June 1 video tribute at the nearby Kedron Wavell RSL, called Listen To The Music – Remembering The Toombul Years, would be a chance for locals to get together and reminisce.

Demolition work is moving quickly.

During the 27 years he ran Toombul Music, before closing in 2008, high-profile acts including The Corrs, Jimmy Barnes, Cliff Richard, John Denver, the Village People, the Veronicas, George Benson and even the Wiggles performed in-store to huge crowds.

He came up with the idea to boost sales, which were reported on the ARIA music charts.

Mr Bull, the former CBS Records head of marketing in Australia, said on one memorable occasion Simmons, during a solo tour without his glam rock band, got behind the counter to greet fans.

Demolition works. Picture: John Gass

Demolition work is moving quickly.

“We put him behind the counter. It was his only in-store appearance in Australia,’’ Mr Bull said.

“There was a line out the door … right out to the carpark.’’

“People like Cliff Richard saw the power of appearing at Toombul in selling concert tickets, records and products. He came five times.’’

Work is focusing on the southeast corner of the building.

Mr Bull closed in 2008 when he foresaw the impact online streaming and sales would have on bricks and mortar music stores.

“It was like a sonic comet had hit the earth, forever wiping out traditional music delivery systems,’’ he said.

“The days of an iconic music store like Toombul Music were over.

“Sadly, the same is now happening to Toombul Shoppingtown.’’

Toombul Music owner Barry Bull with John Farnham.

Mr Bull with Olivia Newton-John.

When it opened in October, 1967 Toombul’s original anchor tenants included a Coles New World Supermarket, Barry and Roberts department store and Bayards department store, as well as Brisbane’s first Darrell Lea chocolate shop and 60 specialty stores.

It was the first shopping centre in Brisbane built with airconditioning from the very beginning.

It also had the novelty of off-street parking, for 1500 cars.

Over the years 140 specialty stores, a Kmart, Hoyts multiplex cinema and other attractions were added.

Mr Bull, who was awarded an OAM in 2019 for service to the community, said while he was saddened by the demolition this week he was equally astonished at the outpouring of emotion from locals.

Many had shared their memories, including the in-centre performances from stars and their favourite albums bought at Toombul music, on a Facebook page set up about the shopping centre.

Fans of Irish musos The Corrs crowd into the centre in 1997 to hear them play.

Blake Carlin, who set up the Remembering Toombul Shoppingtown page, said he also was amazed at the interest. The page now had 6000 followers.

There are only about 300 places at Mr Bull’s “afternoon of words and music’’, from 1.30pm in the RSL’s Kittyhawk Room in Chermside.

The event would mostly feature old videos of the Toombul performances, poems and memories .

But Mr Bull, a talented musician himself, would also play.

Doors open at 1.15pm. Tickets: $25 plus booking fee.

Book at barrybull.com/toombul or call 3359 9122. Includes afternoon tea/refreshments.