Nightquarter closure: Food stall operators, entertainers shocked by news of Nightquarter Helensvale closing down

Food stall operators, entertainers and contractors of Nightquarter are grappling with the news their workplace will close forever in just two weeks.

MARGARET and Phil Beard are working out what to do after getting word the location of their only store will be shut down in just two weeks.

The pair have operated Sweet Bliss Donuts at Helensvale’s NightQuarter for the past three years, and said the news was “unbelievable”.

NightQuarter operators Michelle Christoe and Ian Van der Woude decided they would have to close the popular night markets after the landlord more than doubled the rent.

“I’m upset that it’s come to an end for a lot of reasons,” Ms Beard said.

“But I will say that I did enjoy it. I loved NightQuarter.

“I feel sorry for Michelle and Ian — we’re losing, but they’re losing more.

“We’ve only got great memories but we’re sad it’s going. It’s unbelievable that it’s going.”

Margaret and Phil Beard of Sweet Bliss Donuts. will need to close down their popular stall Picture Glenn Hampson

Neal Webb and his team at Energy Entertainments perform weekly at Nightquarter, and have used the space for rehearsals on Thursdays and given school holidays circus workshops there.

“It’s a terrible shame because it’s given us a space to showcase the best performing arts people on the Gold Coast,” he said.

“I have a few regular hotels and some corporate work, but NightQuarter is the main area where we train and perform.

“There’s nowhere like it that has the space and the freedom and the relationships we’ve had over three years.”

SHOCK AS NIGHTQUARTER ANNOUNCES CLOSURE

Neal Webb has lost a key performance and training space for his business. Picture by Scott Fletcher

Mr Webb said the owners strived to create a community asset with NightQuarter.

“Just Saturday night we put on a big show with 15 performers with light and sound — and it wasn’t a ticketed event. Michelle paid for it out of her own pocket,” he said.

“She just wanted to create a great space where the community could come.

“People think everyone’s just out to make money, but that’s not the case.

“I’m absolutely gutted.”

COAST LOSES UNIQUE LIVE MUSIC VENUE

Helensvale NightQuarter ran school holiday circus workshops. Pictured (from left) Ella Lindeberg, 8, Milli Mansbridge, 8, instructor, Neal Webb, Billie Frampton, 7, and Sophie Lindeberg, 8. Pic: Tim Marsden

WHERE NIGHTQUARTER REALLY CAME FROM

Ms Beard said vendors at the popular night markets had grown close and she’d miss the friendships.

“It was a great avenue to be creative and meet people. It’s a lot of fun,” she said.

“We’re next door to the kebab shop and she would make us dinner and we’d give her ice cream — we’d all interact and give each other Christmas presents.

“It was a family environment.”

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Artistic Fire performer Neal Webb. Photo: David Clark

Ms Beard said the loss of NightQuarter would leave a vacuum.

“Look at the life it brought to Helensvale, it lit up the whole area,” she said.

“Thousands enjoy that place and we’re definitely two of them.

“We’ve loved our time at NightQuarter.”

The couple do not operate at other markets and did not know what they would do, or if their business would continue elsewhere.

“Maybe we’d better start thinking about that.”