NightQuarter owners looking at new sites on Gold Coast following shock decision to close at Helensvale

The owners of Nightquarter have revealed they are actively looking at a number of new sites after the shock decision to close down at Helensvale

NIGHTQUARTER owners Ian van der Woude and Michelle Christoe have revealed they are looking at a number of alternative sites following their shock decision to close down at Helensvale.

Mr Van der Woude said the popular food and entertainment venue could be up and running against in as little as six months once a suitable location is found.

“We are looking at a number of sites but we haven’t landed anything at this stage,” he said.

“So hopefully in the next couple of months we’ll find a site that works for us and for the NightQuarter brand.”

NightQuarter will close down its popular Helensvale site on February 1. Picture: Supplied

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Sites at Hope Island, Coomera and Carrara have been mooted as possible alternative locations for NightQuarter, but Mr Van der Woude said they had already ruled out Carrara as an option.

“We did look at that,” he said. “We do know (Carrara Markets founder) Terry Morris very well.

“There was another site there but there were some major flooding issues there, it does sit in a flooodplain, so the infrastructure work and the civil engineering work didn’t quite make it work from a finance viewpoint.

“But there are some other options around here on the Coast and we are open to looking at all options at this stage.”

Boston terrier samples some doggie beer during a special event for canines at NightQuarter last year. Picture Glenn Hampson

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Mr Van der Woude said that in a “best case” scenario NightQuarter could be up and running again at a new location in six months time.

“The actual construction time is quite quick, the delays would be more around liquor licencing and council approvals,” he said.

Mr Van der Woude said the couple had been stunned when they learned the landlords of their Helensvale site wanted to more than double the rent – forcing them to make the decision to close their doors for the last time on February 1.

“When we first received it I honestly thought it was a mistake,” he said.

“It was devastating.”

NightQuarter’s owners say they could be up and running again in six months if they can find the right site.

Mr Van der Woude said around 500 people had been affected by the decision.

“One of the hardest things for me is there are about 500 jobs here which NightQuarter has created for the local community here at Helensvale and in two weeks time there are 500 people out looking for another job,” he said.

“And that’s not mentioning all the young artists, the buskers, the bands and everything else who will also look for another gig.

“It’s really hard on the Coast to find a place like NightQuarter where they can perform and where they can incubate talent.

“That’s really going to be the hardest part.

“There are a lot of guys who are going to be out of work because of this situation.”