Chatime bubble tea chain proposal by Newton Denny Chapelle approved by Byron Shire Council

A Byron businessman expects sky-high rental costs will lead to more big franchises moving in, changing “the vibe” in the North Coast tourism hub.

An artist's impression of the Byron Chatime shop

A Taiwanese bubble tea franchise has the tick from Byron Shire Council and is due to set up shop in the coastal tourism hub.

Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce committee member Julian Edwards said he expected high rental costs would lead to more big chains moving in, changing “the vibe” in the popular North Coast tourism hub.

Residents of the town previously protested against fast food chains like McDonald’s moving in and changing its identity.

The aerial view of the Chatime property site in Byron Bay

Chatime is set to provide a range of hot or cold milky, fruity and frosty teas from a 25 sqm kiosk-style shop on the ground floor of the Mercato on Byron shopping centre at 108-110 Jonson St.

The applicant is developer Newton Denny Chapelle, on behalf of proponent JB Meares and work would be carried out at a cost of about $223,995.

The shopping complex includes a Woolworths supermarket, cinema and various food stores.

The proposed location for Chatime in Byron Bay

Yoflo on Lawson St in the town “introduced bubble tea to Byron in 2020” and states on its website it has been “a hit it has been with locals and visitors”.

The business states it’s currently “the first and only bubble tea provider in Byron”.

Meanwhile, Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce committee member Julian Edwards said he expected the town would see an increase in chain stores.

“The chains with the money will be the ones that are ultimately going to win the business and be able to afford to pay the high rents that the town now commands,” he said.

Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce committee member Julian Edwards Julian Edwards.

Mr Edwards said more franchise stores in town would “change the vibe” from feeling funky to corporate.

“A lot of those businesses that do exist in Byron are still family-run, one-person run or boutique businesses … but if it doesn’t have any of that and goes to chains, it’s just going to be like any other town in Australia,” he said.

“It’s a natural regression that the chain businesses are going to be the ones that will be able to afford the cost of real estate in the town.”

Chatime has dominated the Australian bubble tea industry since launching in Australia in 2009.