NightQuarter search for new home could see it move closer to the Glitter Strip

A surprise new site has been proposed as the new location for NightQuarter after the shock announcement the popular foodie hub will close next month.

NightQuarter on the Gold Coast at Helensvale.

THE old Commonwealth Games Village is a potential new base for NightQuarter.

The Palaszczuk Government is under pressure to provide help because the State-owned Queensland Investment Corporation part owns NightQuarter’s current home at Helensvale.

SHOCK: NIGHTQUARTER GOLD COAST TO CLOSE FOR THE LAST TIME

NightQuarter directors Ian Van der Woude and Michelle Christoe.

Bonney MP Sam O’Connor said the Government should help find a new venue after the entertainment venue traded poorly during the Commonwealth Games.

“There’s plenty of empty space at the Health and Knowledge Precinct that could be used, just next to Griffith University, light rail and Smith Street,” he said.

“The State Government has 9.5 hectares of land there slated for future development. There’s no tenants locked in and it’s already got bitumen in most areas so we should make use of the empty space.”

After the Bulletin approached the Government for comment, Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon, the Assistant Tourism Industry Development Minister, offered to meet with NightQuarter owners Michelle Christoe and Ian Van der Woude.

“In just a few years NightQuarter has become an institution on the Gold Coast,” Ms Scanlon said.

“It’s disappointing to hear they’ve fallen on hard times. I’d be more than willing to sit down with owners and see what help I can provide.”

COAST LOSES CRUCIAL LIVE MUSIC VENUE WITH SHOCK CLOSURE

Electronic group Rufus played at Helensvale's NightQuarter. Pic by Sally Coates

SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN FOR JUST $5 A MONTH FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS

Responding to numerous requests on Facebook for council to intervene, area councillor William Owen-Jones said NightQuarter would have stayed for another five years if the couple had been able to negotiate a satisfactory lease.

Cr Owen-Jones said he was not aware of vacant council land which had similar parking and distance from homes to allow live music.

“Unfortunately the city will not be able to help them with any type of rental subsidy to a private operator — to their landlord. NightQuarter is great, and a real loss, but ratepayers’ dollars cannot be used to fund the annual rent,” he wrote.

Cr Owen-Jones told The Bulletin he had not been personally involved in negotiations but “would be very supportive of Ian and Michelle finding a new suitable location on the Gold Coast”.

Acting Mayor Donna Gates was saddened by the news but added “this has been a commercial situation where there have been problems with the costs involved, so it is difficult for the City to get involved in private, commercial operations”.

Mr O’Connor has vowed to help find a new home for the live music venue in his electorate.

Bonney MP Sam O'Connor wants to find a new home for NightQuarter. Photo by Richard Gosling

FOOD STALL OPERATORS, ENTERTAINERS SHOCKED BY NIGHTQUARTER CLOSURE

“This is a huge loss for our northern Gold Coast community. I’ve had many great nights out there so I’m personally disappointed too,” Mr O’Connor said.

“Some of our suburbs have the fastest growth rates in the country so they need an entertainment area like this. It gave young people a place to hang out and enjoy live music.

“The State Government is clearly part of the problem and that means they need to be part of the solution.”

NightQuarter which employs 600 people and more than 100 small businesses lost around $100,000 during the Games when trade reached 10 to 20 per cent of what was promised during the city’s biggest-ever event.

“They stuffed them around during the Commonwealth Games with overblown public transport predictions and a lack of advertising for the many Festival 2018 events held at NightQuarter,” Mr O’Connor said.

“They lost around $100,000 during that event. I was there for Baker Boy. He’d normally pack out a festival tent but you would have been lucky to have a hundred people attend.

“Being able to attract live acts is an important part of our tourism offering. The State Government and council should be doing everything possible to help them relocate, including leasing out available, unutilised and suitable public land.”