Hog’s Breath franchisee Mark Allen, who has two stores on Gold Coast, says there is too much retail space being added on GC

This leading franchisee has two restaurants on the Gold Coast but says he won’t be making a comeback in Broadbeach for one key reason.

The Coffee Club branch on Surf Parade in Broadbeach closed down after 21 years of trading following completion of works on Surf Pde. Picture: Jerad Williams

THE growth of retail and commercial tenancies has far outstripped demand in central Gold Coast suburbs such as Broadbeach leading to empty shopfronts, a leading franchisee says.

Hog’s Breath franchisee Mark Allen has two shops on the Gold Coast in Mariner’s Cove, Main Beach and in the Soul Boardwalk retail space in Surfers Paradise as well as others in Logan and Brisbane.

At the end of 2017 he closed his Broadbeach outlet below the Aria high-rise tower following what he called a downturn in trade during the redevelopment of Surf Pde.

The nine-month works on Surf Pde cost $5 million and finished in April, 2017, resulting in months of disruptive works and reported revenue falls of up to 75 per cent for some businesses.

Hog’s Breath Surfers Paradise manager Ethan Glanville and Hog’s Gold Coast general manager Chris Glanville at the Surfers Paradise restaurant, which won an award for highest gross profit percentage. Picture: Jerad Williams

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The issue was cited as part of the reason for a number of shop closures last year including Bootleg Juice Bar. The Coffee Club outlet on Surf Pde also closed its doors after more than 21 years of trading.

Mr Allen said he wants to move back to Broadbeach but cannot envisage a move in the current climate. He said more retail spaces are being added, encouraging new businesses into the area, while trade has not recovered from the Surf Pde works.

“I’d love to be back in Broadbeach, but it cannot happen until the trade returns to the area,” he said.

“One of the problems is every time a new high rise is built there is more retail space added.

“Around Broadbeach there’s a lot of high-rise buildings with empty retail tenancies.

High-rise towers like this one in Broadbeach continue to add retail/commercial space to the market.

NEW NAME FOR GOLD COAST SHOPPING CENTRE

“There are too many and there are no more people going to Broadbeach than when I opened Hog’s Breath there 10 years ago.”

Mr Allen estimates there are twice the venues and three times the number of tenancies there were a decade ago.

Tenancies to come on the market in Broadbeach this year include more than 600sq m of space below the Qube tower on the corner of Queensland and Jubilee avenues.

Oasis Shopping Centre revamped its dining area fronting Broadbeach Mall between 2016-17, leading to the creation of new restaurant spaces.

Hog’s Breath franchisee Mark Allen.

WHY THIS GIANT DEVELOPMENT IS GOING AHEAD

Mr Allen tasted success at The Hog’s annual conference and awards night (called The Hogies) last month.

His Surfers Paradise store took out the award for highest gross profit percentage.

It comes in the wake of a number of store closures across Australia for the well-known Australian brand, which included the Coolangatta outlet, not owned by Mr Allen, shutting down.

Mr Allen said he sees a strong future for the Hog’s brand in Australia. He said it continued to evolve as “Australia’s favourite family restaurant”.