Cleveland CBD a ‘ghost town’ as new businesses close up shop

The crown jewel of one of southeast Queensland’s most beautiful communities is a ghost town, with for lease signs dominating the streetscape and business owners resorting to letterbox drops to drawn in crowds.

THE crown jewel of one southeast Queensland’s most beautiful communities is becoming a ghost town, adding to the toll caused by big business.

Business owners and councillors alike say customers at Cleveland’s poinciana-lined retail precinct in the heart of the Redlands are being stripped away by nearby shopping centres and big box retailers.

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The coastal hub, known for its main drawcard of Bloomfield St, has long had a reputation for being the Redlands’ shopping and cafe mecca and hosts the region’s popular weekend markets.

However an increasing number of ‘for lease’ signs appearing in shop windows suggest the destination now lacks that special something.

The likes of Logan’s Hyperdome — 26km away — and big box retailer home of Capalaba were blamed at Wednesday’s Redland City Council meeting for sending the quaint CBD the ‘way of Wynnum’, which councillors heard had also farewelled several longstanding businesses recently.

For lease signs are taking over Cleveland's CBD. PICTURE: Kara Sonter

“Cleveland centre is dying,” said Councillor Murray Eilliott (Division 7).

“So is Wynnum.”

The remarks came after Cleveland representative Cr Peter Mitchell (Division 2) asked councillors to consider funds in the next budget for a plan to revitalise the CBD.

Cr Mark Edwards (Division 5) said the area was experiencing a “geography problem”, adding it was easier for shoppers to travel to Capalaba or the Hyperdome in the next city.

Owner of Bloomfield St fashion boutique Neon Laundry Kylie Johnston said the once thriving shopping village was now sparse.

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“People just aren’t coming here because it’s a ghost town.

“I’m just lucky I have regulars. There’s a lot of loyalty in the Redlands and that’s what keeps us going.”

She said she had seen businesses move into the area and close within months, and had also farewelled stores that had been there for years.

She said one such store was fellow fashion boutique Jolie which she said closed its doors about three weeks ago.

Ms Johnston said the fact that both boutiques were there had been a good drawcard for shoppers.

Bloomfield Street in February last year, on a day where things were busier. PICTURE: Richard Walker

“I think we need other businesses that are going to bring other people here.”

Across the road, owner of health and beauty spa Yes Please Renae Barkla agreed businesses had to band together.

“If Cleveland was busier I wouldn’t have to do letterbox drops.”

She said the belief that rent was overly high was inaccurate.

“There’s a lot of talk about the shop rent (being) so expensive in Cleveland and it’s actually not.”

She said she often promoted neighbouring shops to clients to help build the area’s appeal.

“There’s actually shops here.

“There’s just something missing... there’s just not a lot of vibe.

“It needs a facelift, everything’s so old here.

“I think there just needs to be more things happening.”

She pointed out the success of Wellington Point’s monthly Dancing in the Street event.

“It makes it appealing to go to a spend a couple of hours.”

However she also called on shoppers to remember what local businesses had to offer.

“Shop local; everyone’s screaming about that but then they go and visit a big shopping centre.

“Because we are small businesses we bend over backwards for our customers.”

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