Nando’s Mermaid Waters store closes at Lakeview Retail Centre on Gold Coast following demise of Coolangatta shop

Another store - this time on the central Gold Coast - has flown the coup of a struggling flame-grilled chicken fast-food chain.

Nando's Mermaid Waters closed its doors last week. Picture Glenn Hampson.

ANOTHER Nando’s store has flown the coup of the struggling fast-food chain.

This time it is the Mermaid Waters store at the Lakeview Retail Centre.

The closure follows the South African flamed-grilled chicken chain closing the doors of its Coolangatta store recently, leaving five outlets for the franchise business on the Gold Coast in Parkwood, Southport, Surfers Paradise, Robina and Upper Coomera.

The Bulletin reported earlier this month that a Nando’s a recent disclosure document listed 22 franchises ceasing operations in the 12 months to March 2019, up from 13 in the previous year and nine in 2017.

Nearly all of those appear to have closed as a result of the franchise agreement not being extended.

"Flown the coop". Nando's website. Coolangatta store.

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The Mermaid Waters store was operated by Ali Abdullah Pty Ltd, which lists Surfers Paradise resident Ahmad Ali as sole director, at Lakeview since 2004.

It signed a five-year lease commencing in 2014 and due to expire in December.

A Nando’s spokeswoman did not return repeated requests for comment about the store closure.

The Lakeview retail centre was sold in June for $20 million by developer Sunland.

Sunland said the centre, near its $850 million project The Lakes, had been purchased by Bao Li ­Investments, with settlement expected this month.

Nando's Mermaid Waters closed its doors last week. Picture Glenn Hampson.

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Sunland acquired the Lakeview centre in 2014 as part of its $61 million buy of a 42ha swath of land, at the time tagged Lakeview, from Sydney’s Scheinberg family, which had owned the land since 1972.

Lakeview Retail Centre is located on a 1.601 ha site on Bermuda St, Mermaid Waters, and incorporates four freestanding buildings with a combined lettable area of 3864.6sq m and 297 car parks.

The centre is anchored by a 7-Eleven Service Station, Fitness First Centre, Hoppy’s Car Wash and Hungry Jack’s.

Nando’s is known for its flame-grilled chicken and peri peri sauce. PICTURE: KATE CAMPBELL.