ESPL owner Bianca Holgate grills Tom Tate over Cyclone Alfred absence

A prominent Surfers Paradise hospitality operator has unleashed her frustration at Mayor Tom Tate for being absent from the city when ex-tropical cyclone Alfred hit the Gold Coast. SEE THE VIDEO

A prominent Surfers Paradise hospitality operator has unleashed her frustration at Mayor Tom Tate for being absent from the city when ex-tropical cyclone Alfred hit the Gold Coast.

ESPL owner Bianca Holgate confronted the Mayor under the Surfers Paradise sign and asked him “where the bloody hell are you?”

Ms Holgate asked Mr Tate whether God had kept him away from the city, to which the mayor, a staunch Christian, responded “in a way”.

ESPL owner Bianca Holgate confronted the Mayor under the Surfers Paradise sign.

“Through group prayers he has been (protecting me),” Mr Tate said.

Ms Holgate said “good” before asking whether Mr Tate had prayed for the city during the cyclone before unleashing on him.

“Do you know what we have been through? Do you want to hear my heart, because I have a story for you. Where the bloody hell are you?” She yelled before storming off.

Ms Holgate kept her cafe open during the worst of the cyclone, offering free coffees to any patrons on a pay-it-forward basis.

Minutes after the confrontation, she drove past Mr Tate honking the horn of her high-end four-wheel drive.

Surfers Paradise Beachfront cafe ESPL and owner Bianca Holgate offered free coffees during the cyclone.

When approached by the Bulletin, Mr Tate said he did not take her criticism personally.

“Out of the number of people I have met (since returning to the Gold Coast on Sunday), the appreciation of council, the SES and all the people working so hard to make sure we have restored the livelihood (has been strong) but then you get one person, well that’s democracy.

“I’m willing to listen but she walked away so obviously it cannot be that serious.

“If it helped her venting then fine.

Surfers Paradise Beachfront cafe ESPL and owner Bianca Holgate offered free coffees during the cyclone.

“When you haven’t had power for five days, you’ve lost your food and you might have a baby who (has) needs, who is crying a lot, and the stress levels go up.

“I don’t take offence to people airing their frustrations.”

Ms Holgate was contacted by the Bulletin for comment.

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