We're all out: CBD now full

RENTAL leases in Bundaberg's CBD are flying out the door, with almost all Bourbong St shopfronts now snapped up.

CBD Realty sales manager Natasha Albert says you have to get in quick to get a prime shopfront in the Bundaberg CBD. Picture: Max Fleet

RENTAL leases in Bundaberg's CBD are flying out the door, with almost all Bourbong St shopfronts now snapped up.

Only two shops remain empty - the old DJ's Fishing and Camping and Bazaar furniture stores, both of which are up to 600sq m larger than the average shop.

CBD Realty sales manager Natasha Albert said a combination of the main street's vibrancy and cheaper rental than shopping centres had enticed a lot of businesses to the popular shopping spot, particularly national chains.

"You've got a lot of foot traffic in the CBD and the rents are very reasonable," she said.

"Plus you're dealing with a vendor, rather than a corporation."

Mrs Albert said vacant shops often did not last longer than a week before being snapped up.

"As soon as Bundy Kids vacated, Homeart moved in there practically straight away," she said.

A national fashion store TS14+, which caters for women's sizes 14-24, was so desperate to open in Bourbong St that CBD Realty approached and negotiated with Rush Surf for floor space.

"We actively contacted Rush to see if they'd give up part of their shop - there was nowhere suitable for (TS14+) to rent in that area," she said.

Mrs Albert said the store gave up 200sq m to TS14+, which is currently being fitted out before its opening.

It is not just the CBD that is thriving, with a second Repco store set to open near Toy World in Takalvan St, and Mrs Albert said two gym companies were also interested in coming to the city.

The sales manager said the "T-intersection" - comprising Bourbong and Targo Sts - was highly sought after for both buying and leasing.

"If someone wants to rent in the CBD, they've now got to go to the side streets, like Woongarra St," she said.

Brent McLellan, owner of fashion store bmac, opened his shop on Barolin St about four months ago, with the intention of moving to Bourbong St as soon as the opportunity presented.

Four weeks ago, Mr McLellan signed a lease on the former Red Capsicum store, and said sales had almost doubled since.

"I know up here, customers don't like walking around the corner," he said.

"We made good money from Barolin St, but we know we could go so much better from this location."

Mr McLellan said he had looked at rental prices at Hinkler Central and Sugarland Shoppingtown, but extra costs and expectations of store refits every five years failed to attract him.

"Sunday trade is a massive bonus for us - over (at Hinkler) we wouldn't be open on a Sunday," he said.

Commercial sales are also booming, with a number of successful building sales across Bundaberg.

Mrs Albert said the former Salmat building on Woongarra St was now under contract, and the Landmark and T&T buildings at the North Side Industrial Park had sold.

Originally published as We're all out: CBD now full