Crema Espresso owner Antony Forbutt and landlord Romolo Bos still locked in Bundall tenancy dispute on Gold Coast a year after court action

More than a year after being locked out of his Bundall coffee shop, an owner owner is no closer to resolving a dispute with his landlord. SUBSCRIBE TO HAVE YOUR SAY

MORE than a year after being locked out of his Bundall coffee shop, Crema Espresso owner Antony Forbutt is no closer to resolving a dispute with his landlord.

Mr Forbutt, who is the managing director of Crema Espresso with 19 stores in Queensland, opened a drive-through outlet at 88 Bundall Rd in March, 2018.

The property, which contains a Freedom Service station next to the coffee shop, is owned by Romolo Bos.

In May last year Mr Forbutt filed an application with the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal alleging Mr Bos had breached the terms of the lease agreement by allowing barista-made coffee to be sold from the Freedom station.

The Crema Espresso coffee shop at 88 Bundall Rd has closed.

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Mr Bos responded on July 19 by locking the doors to the shop, alleging in return that he is owed $185,000 in unpaid rent. The store has remained closed ever since.

Mr Forbutt said this morning progress was being made after it was proposed that the tenancy would be split into two with Mr Forbutt and a chemist each taking half of the store.

Mr Forbutt said the plan was for him to sublease from the chemist, a move he supported.

However, the plan had fallen through when the chemist decided to pull out and the dispute was back before QCAT.

“It is the same status as it was 12 months ago,” he said.

“There is nothing new happening.”

Crema Espresso has coffee stores throughout Queensland including one at The Pines in Elanora. Picture: Scott Fletcher

He said it would be another four weeks before QCAT provided directions on the next step, which was likely to involve more mediation.

Mr Bos has been contacted for comment.

Mr Forbutt said the retail environment is currently “dire”.

He said landlords have little understanding of the financial losses retailers have sustained during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“They are not acknowledging we have lost a huge amount of money.

“There are zombie businesses running on JobKeeper and when that disappears we will see a lot of businesses go,” he said.