Nook Espresso at Burleigh moves to Old Burleigh Theatre after lease at Burleigh Pavilion runs out

The future is now clear for a beloved Burleigh coffee shop, which was forced out of its lease from a previous venue.

A beloved Burleigh coffee shop has found a new home after being forced out of it’s lease from their previous venue.

Nook Espresso has moved into the Old Burleigh Theatre, setting up a stall to continue operating after closing the doors on Sunday at its Burleigh Pavillion site, just across the road.

Landlords at Burleigh Pavilion previously told Nook management the lease would not be extended beyond June 4, bringing an end to 14 years at the beachsode site.

Marcus Wilkins and Olivia Ayres serve up coffee at Nook in Burleigh. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Nook Espresso were able to continue in its original home, off of Burleigh Pavilion, until the end of August after co-owners Marcus Wilkins and Paola Pearse negotiated to extend their lease.

“It is very exciting (being in the new space),” he said.

“We just need to adjust to the new work environment, more space and now ocean views so we aren’t complaining about that.

“All our customers followed us over so it was really nice to see a good vibe around the new space.

“It’s only across the road from our old location so the regulars were happy to cross over and continue their morning routines,” Mr Wilkins said.

However, Nook’s long-term future at its new home remains under a cloud.

Concerns have been raised about the preservation of the Old Burleigh Theatre after plans were approved for a 14-story, 36-unit complex at the site.

Burleigh local Nikki Archer outside the historic Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade, which they are fighting to save in a Planning and Environment Court case next week. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“It’s a beautiful building hopefully the developer sees the life we put in it on Monday morning and decides to keep a similar style downstairs,” Mr Wilkins said.

The development is currently before the Land and Environment Court but proponents of the project say they will maintain the old building’s facade, but inside there would be a 12m high atrium.

As for the former Nook kiosk, Pavilion owner Ben May said in April he planned to operate a new coffee shop in the hole-in-the-wall space.

However the news was not taken lightly by Burleigh locals with many sharing their upset at losing their favourite coffee shop.

In May Mr Wilkins said: “We knew from the way people queued up early in the morning, in the rain, through the elements, that we meant something but we didn’t realise how much.”

“All the kind words and support have been amazing.”

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