Howard Wright sells stake in The Lounge, Bridges at Paradise Point after colliding with child in driving shocker
The future of two Gold Coast nightspots has been revealed in the wake of their boss being fined for colliding with a child on a bike. Read the details
Business
Don't miss out on the headlines from Business. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Two northern Gold Coast bars, which were targeted for social media criticism after a co-owner drove dangerously towards a 12-year-old boy, have been sold.
Howard Wright, 58, was fined $645 and incurred three demerit points over the January 6 incident, which was caught on camera.
Footage, captured on the boy’s GoPro and uploaded to social media, shows the Audi colliding with a boy on his bike.
In the wake of the widely-publicised incident, Mr Wright’s venues The Lounge and Bridges Tapas at Paradise Point, switched off comments on their social media posts after being bombarded by angry words and reactions from people who had seen the video.
Police also said they were investigating threatening voice messages left on Mr Wright’s phone.
In a new post to social media on Monday, The Lounge proclaimed it was “under new management”.
Documents lodged with the corporate regulator confirmed Mr Wright is no longer a director or shareholder of the company behind The Lounge and Bridges, which are a few doors down from each other on The Esplanade.
His former business partner Darius Pavri has been sole director since February 12.
The Lounge was launched in 2023 with a parkland and water view, with the owners promising a “quality dining experience coupled with an exotic and diverse selection of drinks and cocktails”.
Bridges Tapas and Pizza Bar has been open more than 20 years at the foreshore location and is a popular venue for weekend drinks.
The Gold Coast Bulletin has contacted Mr Pavri for comment.
When approached outside his home in the days after the incident, Mr Wright declined to answer questions and said he was living “in fear”.
“My only comment is this is a police matter and I am in fear for my life,” he added before walking back inside his home.
The boy’s father has demanded police investigate the incident further.
Poke empire on the brink owing $1.2m amid founder’s legal battle
Companies that launched trendy restaurants from Brisbane to Sydney have collapsed owing more than $1.26m, while their founder is battling tax and migration troubles in the Federal Court.
The pendulum ‘swung too far left’: BlackRock’s Larry Fink
The most powerful investor on Wall Street tells The Australian that corporate culture is ‘undergoing a reset’ away from its progressive outlook. Larry Fink is moving with the times.