Gold Coast City Council to ask for expressions of interest in leasing Kirra site hosting iconic Pizza Hut store
More than two years after the iconic Pizza Hut at Kirra was saved from closure, a question mark once again hangs over its future.
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MORE than two years after the iconic Pizza Hut at Kirra was saved from closure, a question mark once again hangs over its future.
The Gold Coast City Council will shortly call for a public tender/expressions of interest to lease the 400sq m space at Kirra Beach Pavilion on Marine Parade from late next year.
The space is currently occupied by Pizza Hut.
The temporary closure of Pizza Hut Kirra in 2016 sparked community anger, with thousands of people reminiscing about their “good old times” at the restaurant.
The store had closed after franchisee Terfam Restaurants, headed by Simone and Michael Terrens, called in the liquidators.
The Pizza Hut at Kirra is one of the few remaining dine-in Pizza Hut restaurants that offer an all-you-can-eat buffet and use of discount shopper dockets.
The anger turned to jubilation when Pizza Hut franchisee Thomas Singh took over the business and reopened the beloved store.
However, the council has engaged Knight Frank’s associate director of retail leasing Tanaka Jabangwe to open up the beachfront space to be leased by other operators.
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Mr Jabangwe said Pizza Hut remains a contender, but the council was interested in seeing what other tenants could potentially use the space.
He said the premises will be highly sought after.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the incoming operator to create what could be a world famous institution for the Gold Coast,” he said.
Mr Jabangwe said it was expected there would be multiple applicants from around Australia vying for the space due to its prime position on the beachfront.
“The Gold Coast is a city famous for its entertainment and lifestyle, with unrivalled stretches of pristine beaches and surf breaks all along the foreshore,” he said.
“People travel from across the globe for a taste of the Gold Coast lifestyle, but there are few properties which enable restaurants to combine this with great cuisine.
“This tenancy in the Kirra Beach Pavilion provides a food and beverage operator a great opportunity to serve up some amazing meals right on the shoreline of Kirra Beach.”
He declined to specify a leasing rate, however industry sources said it could be expected to garner between $800 and $1200sq m gross.
Mr Singh declined to comment when contacted.
An expressions of interest campaign ends on December 14.
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