Broadbeach venues looking for solutions to fix slump after more closures
WITH even more venues closing their doors, remaining restaurants are putting pressure on council to work together on solutions for the future. See what their ideas are here.
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BROADBEACH traders are in talks with the Gold Coast Council on how to revitalise the city’s premier restaurant precinct after the closure of up to 15 businesses.
David Bennedick, the owner of Surf Parade businesses 1Two3 Dining and Lounge Bar and The Coffee Club, said he tried to contact Councillor Paul Taylor since roadworks began in May 2016.
A delegate met with the councillor yesterday to put forward possible solutions to pump new life into the suburb. They include relocating the Kurrawa Park markets and introducing a new festival.
“There’s some very basic things that can be done that can help Broadbeach and that’s the festivals and bringing the markets out of an empty park, there’s no business up there,” Mr Bennedick said.
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“We used to have the three festivals — the Country Music Festival, Blues on Broadbeach and the Jazz Festival.
“Now that the Jazz Festival is gone and the upgrades are done and everything is back to normal, we need to bring something back in its place. Festivals bring people.
“The other very simple thing is moving the markets from the park and putting them on the street and that brings people instead of worrying about little food carts that pay next to nothing to operate.
“It’s a slap in the face. It’s absolutely a slap in the face for businesses that are paying $20,000 a month rent.”
Cr Taylor said the meeting was “productive”. However, he declined to go into detail on his thoughts or future plans.
“I had a productive meeting but it is too early to publicly comment on how we can further assist business in the precinct.”
While Blues on Broadbeach was a huge success for operators, Mr Bennedick said it was not enough to make up for the massive losses due to the Surf Parade upgrades and the Commonwealth Games disrupting Easter trade.
“Blues Festival was very successful, two thumbs up. I can’t emphasise how critical its success is for Broadbeach in general, but it’s not enough (to tide businesses over), not even close,” he said.
“It’s one event. The profits from one event typically pay the recovery for what you’re looking at for the past 15 months.
“The reality is for the damage that’s been created you would least at least 10 Blues on Broadbeach festivals to look close at recovering the losses.
“That’s why now we’re not asking for sympathy, we’re not asking council for money, we’re giving feedback as to what needs to be done to make sure these small businesses don’t have to shut their door like so many others have.”
The issue came to a head publicly last week when long-time tenant Onyx announced last Sunday would be their final day of trading after 11 years.
Also added to the list of closures is Junk Asian, Burger Trip, GC Republic and most recently, Red Steakhouse and Burger Bar. Aztec Mexican, a tenant at Victoria Ave for more than 20 years, has relocated to Albert Ave and Axis Restaurant and Bar is set to close by the end of the month.
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