Urban design expert warns impact of NightQuarter’s absence in Helensvale

An urban design expert has warned of the impact NightQuarter’s absence could have on surrounding businesses, including Scentre Group-operated Westfield Helensvale.

AN URBAN design expert says Westfield Helensvale will need to “be careful” with NightQuarter leaving the area.

The Coast’s biggest food and music venue will close on February 1 after the owners of the landlords, Westfield shopping centre operator Scentre Group and the state-owned Queensland Investment Corporation, decided to hike rent by more than 100 per cent.

Ned Wales, the senior teaching fellow in sustainable and environments planning at Bond University, said Scentre Group may “live to regret” its loss.

“It really lifted the game for the Helensvale shopping centre, it was really struggling and then they revamped it,” he said.

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Owners Michell Christoe and Ian Van Der Woude announced the closing after rent hikes. Picture Richard Gosling

“Shopping malls are designed around big shopping days like Christmas. A large portion of the year the car parks are relatively empty and under-utilised.

Mr Wales said shopping centres had a chance to cash in on entertainment acts and venues like NightQuarter.

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“It might be difficult with the infrastructure that is required for the performing arts, but there might be ways of doubling up on things like parking lots during the day and a different use at night.

“Malls need to be careful because they are really at risk and the creative outlets are the future. It will be interesting to see what happens to the Helensvale shopping centre after this closure. NightQuarter really contributed to the cultural experience of the Gold Coast.”

Westfield Helensvale is also operated by landlords Scentre Group.

NightQuarter co-owner Michelle Christoe agreed with Mr Wales’ comments on the fate of Westfield Helensvale.

Ms Christoe said she would spend thousands of dollars each week on “all the random things” needed to keep the venue running, from last-minute food orders to containers, cutlery and paper for the photocopiers.

“I know I spend over $5000 in Westfield each week and that’s just myself,” she said. “If you add what every vendor here spends in there it will impact.

“And we’ve worked in co-ordination with the centre, so it will be disappointing because you certainly don’t want to affect people’s businesses.

“We’ve always been careful of that because we’re all about trying to be fair.”

Scentre Group declined to comment on the matter.

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NightQuarter will close its doors for the last time on February 1st.

Mr Wales suggested areas along the southern Gold Coast could provide a new location.

“Industrial areas or shopping malls are probably ideal locations … West Burleigh has some vacated lots and further down the Coast, near the highway and the airport, would be an ideal location,” he said.

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NightQuarter has already encouraged the community to put forward their suggestions for a new location.

Ms Christoe said: “It’s not just location, it’s the cost to run the operation at that site, it’s longevity, it’s infrastructure, parking, sound management, competition, community need.”

“We’re looking at a couple sites so we are following up on everyone’s suggestions.

“We’ve had people call up and say ‘I’ve got a hectare behind my house, would love to have you here’, which has just been beautiful but there are so many different elements to look at.”