“Tired” Cleveland town centre a “no-man’s land” as lease signs proliferate and shoppers head elsewhere
For lease signs are popping up on every corner and high rents are drowning this former bustling retail hot spot once a weekend drawcard destination.
Redlands Coast
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A PICTURESQUE bayside CBD has become a “no man’s land” with empty shops galore as patrons go elsewhere.
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Known for its poinciana-lined streets and once vibrant coffee culture Cleveland is in a commercial slump accentuated by the coronavirus outbreak.
A stroll down its drawcard Bloomfield St is met with at least seven empty shops visible from the sidewalk.
Turn the corner on to Middle St and six more vacant premises tell a tale of downturn.
Cut through Woolworths and its recently upgraded carpark – now largely sans trees – and yet more ‘for lease’ signs occupy shopfronts on Queen St and so the sorry sights continue.
Even The Coffee Club shut its doors after a 23-year run on June 7.
All of which has left business owners fighting to stay in the black.
Donna Joslin has managed CROCS footwear store on Bloomfield St for the last eight years and confirmed it was hard going.
“In the last two years business has really dropped,” Ms Joslin said
“There were eight shops for lease in this street alone prior to COVID-19.
“People tend to go to Victoria Point or Capalaba and Cleveland has become a no-man’s land.
“We’re lucky that we are a destination store so we get probably 60-70 per cent of our trade from outside of the Redlands.”
Frustratingly, Cleveland itself used to be a destination site for visitors, with a plethora of enticing features: Raby Bay Harbour offers a classy setting with its horseshoe row of cafes and restaurants overlooking the marina; the Cleveland Train Station is but a hop skip from the action; scenic Cleveland Point gives vistas to die for and the list goes on.
None of which has seemingly been able to lift spirits.
“The general sentiment among businesses is negative,” Ms Joslin said.
“The landlords are not negotiating rent and while turnover is down we are still having to pay the same rates.
“Most people have been able to retain staff through Job Keeper and other assistance programs but it is still not enough to cover rent.”
The manager was especially perturbed with the CBD’s approach to parking.
“Parking is a huge issue and has been for years; it is all three-hour parking with a small amount of five-hour parks,” Ms Joslin said.
“At the moment they don’t have traffic inspectors, but usually they do and the fines have been increased.
“A lot of local people will not come to Cleveland when they can go to Victoria Point and shop all day and not have to constantly check their watch.
“And that has had a really big impact on Cleveland and has been an ongoing complaint.
“Even people who work here have to move their cars every three hours.”
All of which comes in contrast with a bonanza in apartment developments in the greater Cleveland area.
Drive a few hundred metres from the CBD and a multitude of large apartment buildings now populate the formerly quaint skyline – and makes the persistent commercial strain on the business community all the more frustrating.
Where are all these residents shopping?
The seemingly polarising development trend, which is exemplified by the planned and controversial Toondah Harbour development, has led Ms Joslin to call for a greater focus on the CBD.
“There are a lot of older buildings here that are looking very run down,” she said.
“All the focus at the moment is on Toondah Harbour and everybody seems to be waiting for that and god knows if or when that will come about.
“So Cleveland town centre seems to be on a hold but there needs to be more redevelopment here.
“And it would be great if they could bring residential development into the town centre as opposed to all the way out at Toondah Harbour.”
Her sentiments were echoed by Cleveland representative Division 2 councillor Peter Mitchell, who though a firm proponent for Toondah Harbour, also called for a focus on construction in Cleveland.
“There are very strong, sensible projects already in works that could be prioritised,” he said.
“There should be a strategic look at the whole of the town centre, from built form down to what capital projects might be brought forward.
“I am hoping to see a council-led construction project that could be a fantastic multiplier for local contractors.
“It might be our own council accommodation that has been in need of a new building for some time and that could be done with Redlands Investment Corporation.”
Cr Mitchell said while COVID-19 has sped up the demise of some businesses, new ones such as Yes Please Skin Clinic on Bloomfield St have opened.
A qualified physiotherapist and fitness buff Cr Mitchell said Cleveland, under the right circumstances, could become a “boom town”.
“I still think it can be Queensland’s most liveable centre where people can walk and cycle in low speed environments,” he said.
“Obviously retail is going to be challenged but if COVID-19 has shown me anything it is if you make a locale an attractive place to be then that is going to bring quality businesses.
“Yes, retail will continue to struggle but there is other hi-tech and outward-looking businesses that can be lured.
“But every landowner and business needs to contribute; it is going to take a village.”
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