Burleigh Heads’ Pretty Handsome announce they are closing on December 16
A cafe described as the heart of its village community will close its doors after an almost two-year battle with council.
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A cafe described as the heart of its village community will close its doors after an almost two-year battle with council.
Burleigh’s Pretty Handsome will serve its final coffee on Saturday.
Owner Cleo Watterson said they had been unable to complete a costly council Development Application to change their space from light commercial to food and beverage, begun in 2021.
While neighbours, including Gold Coast hospitality king Scott Imlach, wanted to help – even offering their own carparks to combat a shortage in the area – the small business did not have the funds to continue the fight.
“Despite our efforts to come up with different ideas to fix this issue, unfortunately about one month ago the council said they were going to refuse us and we have to close the premises by December 16,” she said.
“We are upset, obviously, as we opened the business four and a half years ago and have worked tirelessly at building it to what it is now.”
Pretty Handsome made an extension to their space prior to receiving approval but was “allowed” to operate during that period because they were in the process of the DA.
A Gold Coast City Council spokesperson said: “The cafe was approved in a single tenancy and expanded into a second tenancy without the necessary approval.
“The city has worked with the owner to achieve a retrospective approval for the expanded business.
“Unfortunately, they have not been able to meet the relevant criteria, noting the immediate area has very limited on-street parking spaces available.
“The owner has opted to withdraw the application”.
Ms Watterson said, while she understood having necessary parking was a legal requirement to change the use of the premises, she was “disappointed” they hadn’t been able to demonstrate they could satisfy it.
She said surrounding businesses had offered their own parking allocations and she had suggested she would offset the shortfall with bike racks and by changing their hours.
“However, everything kept coming back with a no or then a new issue was raised,” she said.
“The whole process has been stressful and costly which is also why we decided not to proceed.”
Neighbouring operator Scott Imlach said his business Precinct Brewing was going through a similar process.
“I can understand where Pretty Handsome are at,” he said.
“The council are ruthless.
“Us at Precinct are in a similar position having to get all the permits in place and so far we have spent over $100,000 in surveys, town planners, consultants.
“How could Pretty Handsome afford it?”
Mr Imlach said it was sad to see “the heart of the village community” closing down.
“I feel absolutely devastated for them,” he said.
“I’ve seen the blood, sweat and tears they have put into the venue.
“They’ve done everything on a shoestring budget and created one of the best no-frills cafes on the Gold Coast.”
Ms Watterson said they appreciated the support the community had shown them over the past four and a half years, through Covid-19 and the cost-of-living crisis.
“We are now wanting to enjoy our last week and feel good about the business we created here and all the awesome people we met along the way,” she said.
“We are so grateful for their ongoing support all these years.”
More Coverage
Why Oceanway argument does not stack up
Arguments about the missing section of the Oceanway have resurfaced amid a mill of walkers and cyclists jostling with traffic on Hedges Ave. But one key point just does not stack up.
E-bike fury: Families demand change after kids hospitalised
Families of two young boys seriously hurt by rogue e-bike riders on the Gold Coast are demanding an urgent review of legislation after opening up about the trauma they suffered.