Molly Malone’s Broadbeach hit with ‘landlord possession’ notice

A popular Gold Coast bar has had a ‘landlord possession’ notice slapped on its front door.

GOLD Coast hospitality bosses are already planning post-coronavirus “welcome back” parties but not everyone will be around to host the celebrations.

Broadbeach Irish pub Molly Malone’s has had a “landlord possession” notice slapped on its front door recently at Surf Parade.

The notice comes two years after it launched on the main strip in Broadbeach but property manager Jared Hodge, of Real Specialists Commercial, said the repossession would have happened regardless of the coronavirus bar shutdown.

“We’ve issued them notices for the past three to five months. Yes it looks bad because of the timing but under commercial law if we ceased we would have had to start the process all over again.”

Molly Malone's bar in Broadbeach.

Mr Hodge said the “rent was an issue before Covid”. Molly Malone’s failed to respond to Bulletin messages to its Facebook page.

Meanwhile, a stack of Glitter Strip venues are staying positive about future reopening opportunities – whenever that might be.

Artesian Hospitality partner Matt Keegan, whose Surfers Paradise stable includes The Bedroom and Havana nightclubs plus bar-restaurant White Rhino, said staff retained thanks to the Federal Government JobKeeper payments were already working on “reopening parties”.

He expected restrictions to be wound back in a staged way.

White Rhino boss Matt Keegan inside the closed venue. Picture: Glenn Hampson

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“We are not sure when that’s going to be which is scary but as much as we can we are thinking positively towards the future rather than negatively about where we are now.

“We believe there will be a lot of people who missed birthdays and occasions who want to celebrate them and a lot of people who have not been able to interact with their friends.”

Mr Keegan is also spokesman for the Glitter Strip’s famed Sin City nightclub which has been locked out by Melbourne-based landlord Bada Bing Holdings. The rent row is destined for the courts.

The new Gitter Strip nightclub Tane is expected to open doors when it safe to do so. Photo: Supplied

But Mr Keegan has said he is hopeful Sin City, a Surfers Paradise night economy icon, will also reopen at some point if not in the same premises it had before the lockout.

All of relative night economy newcomer Hallmark Group’s venues - Retros and Asylum, plus Irish bar Finn McCool’s - are expected to reopen when restrictions lift.

Hallmark marketing manager Tammy Wood said: “All of the venues will be trading as per normal when we can, following the guidelines.

“We are waiting eagerly to hear when those restrictions will lift and can hopefully proudly open our doors again.”