East Nightlife at Broadbeach goes bust after nearly 10 years
A GOLD Coast nightlife icon has gone bust after nearly a decade of debauchery with the doors closed and administrators called in this week with creditors owed at least $1 million.
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A GOLD Coast nightlife icon has gone bust after nearly a decade of debauchery owing creditors at least $1 million.
East Nightlife, located down a back alley entrance off Surf Parade at Broadbeach, quietly closed its doors on Saturday with administrators appointed on Monday.
Over the years the self proclaimed “spiritual night-life” venue cemented itself as a venue for the rich and famous, with celebrities including Snoop Dogg, the Pirates of the Caribbean cast including Orlando Bloom and Geoffrey Rush, Lil Jon, Peking Duk, Savage, Wolf Creek’s John Jarratt, Timmy Trumpet, hip-hop group Naughty by Nature and the cast of Geordie Shore all having a night out at the club.
Owner James Tweddell was unavailable for comment, but an insolvency notice confirmed the company had gone into administration, effective Monday.
The club’s Facebook and Instagram have been removed.
Dominic Cantone and Jason Bettles of Worrells Solvency have been appointed as administrators and say creditors are owed at least $1 million. The Australian Tax Office is understood to be the biggest creditor.
A creditors meeting will be held at Worrells HQ in Robina next Thursday Feb. 8 at 11am.
The news has not come as a shock to many, with an East insider saying they suspected the venue may have been in trouble after Mr Tweddell told the Gold Coast Bulletin in June last year thathe’d accept offers for the business.
A source also said that while there had still been occasional big nights, the venue had been “quieter” over the past six months because increasing operational costs meant entertainment and special events had been cut back.
The source said one of the biggest reasons for the closure was the roadworks at Surf Parade last year, which deterred people from visiting Broadbeach.
They said people “just didn’t come back” even after the roadworks were completed.
Mr Tweddell told the Gold Coast Bulletin last year he wasn’t concerned about the new lockout laws that moved lockout from 3am to 1am and last drinks from 5am to 3am.
“The reality to be honest is we haven’t seen a massive impact — 3am to 5am is the witching hour.
“Not too much good happens after 4am.
“At East, our patrons tend to be a bit older anyway and most people are gone by 3am.
“We never ever foresaw any major issues with having 3am last drinks.
“If it stays at 3am, I wouldn’t be too perturbed.”
Mr Tweddell and his wife Rebecca started their exit strategy three years ago when the couple established a farming company Allora Downs in 2015, producing predominantly spray millet.
When asked about possibly selling East last year, Mr Tweddell told the Gold Coast Bulletin he would not miss the four-hour drive inland to his farm at Darling Downs which he did four times a week.
“I would not miss the commute but I would miss the party,” he said.
Have you had a wild night at East? Let us know so we can farewell a Gold Coast icon in style. Email Sally Coates at sally.coates@news.com.au or post on our Facebook page
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