Scott Imlach says Light Rail Stage 3 construction will kill small businesses
A Gold Coast restaurant owner who was scrutinised by a fellow hospitality boss for closing their Nobby Beach business due to light rail construction, has responded to their U-turn on how it’s affecting trading.
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A Gold Coast restaurant owner who was scrutinised by a fellow hospitality boss for closing their Nobby Beach business due to light rail construction, has responded to their U-turn on how it’s affecting trading.
Bine Bar and Dining, Night Jar and Okawari House owner Scott Imlach recently opened up about how light rail stage 3 construction was causing him to lose $15,000 to $20,000 a week at some of his venues along the route.
“Not often I admit to being wrong, but my view on the light rail construction not affecting business is completely wrong,” Mr Imlach said.
“We are down 25-50 per cent in Nobby Beach and everyone in hospitality is saying the same.
“This will be three to five years of pain and it will be a game of survival.”
The comments came only five months after Mr Imlach took over I Like Ramen’s space in Nobby Beach and opened his Japanese restaurant, Okawari House.
In March, I Like Ramen owner Dominic Benjamin said they closed due to the flow-on effect from Covid-19 and the impact of light rail stage 3 construction.
When taking over the space in April, Mr Imlach said: “People blame the tram but I don’t think the tram is the problem, I think people are doing bad business”.
On Friday, responding Mr Imlach’s change of heart, Mr Benjamin said he “wished everyone trading in Nobby’s the very best”.
“It was such a tough call closing the venue we loved so much in Nobby Beach,” he said.
“All of the memories of some of the best surf premieres hosted on the Gold Coast.
“Such an epic local family.
“Seeing this article today brings closure as after Covid lockdowns it would have just been fires to floods going through the light rail saga.”
‘It’s hell’: Community outrage as light rail impacts small businesses
Mermaid Beach residents have come forward supporting one of the top Gold Coast operators whose view on the light rail construction has undergone a dramatic U-turn.
Small bar hospitality king Scott Imlach was once one of the city’s biggest advocates for light rail stage three, which will take the route to Burleigh Heads.
He has now had a change of heart after his business, Bine Bar and Dining as well as Okawari House, Night Jar and more have lost up to 50 per cent of their trading.
Local musician Lily Budiasa, who performs at Bine Bar and Dining regularly said she hoped someone would find a solution to parking in the area.
“Someone somewhere somehow needs to do something about tradies taking over ‘what’s left’ (of the) parking spots,” she said.
“Workers and patrons are left doing cross country over Nobbys.
“Not to mention all the tradies hovering and tailgating everyone coming out of a park and also parking in disabled spots.
“It’s ridiculous,” she said.
Gold Coast resident Kylie Marek commented on Mr Imlach’s post and said it was important to support your locals.
“As if small businesses haven’t been through enough over the last three to four years,” she said.
“Let’s hope the Gold Coast locals stay loyal to all small businesses who have been affected by the light rail.”
A concerned mum commented and said she wouldn’t let her children on the light rail when it was finished.
“Traffic is hell, businesses are closing everywhere and even when the tram is finished my kids won’t be travelling alone as the crime between Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise in broad daylight on the current service is insane,” Clare Yeates said.
Melissa Somers, a supporter of the light rail, said she thought it was a great idea to get the route down to the Airport but it would affect businesses along the way.
“I think it’s great and to get to hospital and airport, brilliant,” she said.
“It absolutely does kill businesses along the way.
“Surfers Paradise to Broadbeach is still a ghost town and I really do feel for the suburbs to come.”
‘50% won’t make it’ at Nobby: Bar king’s shock about-face on light rail
A Gold Coast bar king who was one of the city’s biggest advocates for light rail has had a shock change of heart on the transport project after his businesses have been hit by a 50 per cent drop in trading.
Scott Imlach, who owns Bine Bar and Dining, Okawari House, Night Jar and others along the planned Light Rail Stage 3 route through Mermaid Beach down to Burleigh Heads, said parking was the main issue impacting the decrease in numbers.
His struggles came only five months after he said businesses needed to stop blaming the Light Rail for failed ventures.
“People blame the tram but I don’t think the tram is the problem, I think people are doing bad business,” Mr Imlach said ahead of opening Okawari House in April.
“People aren’t going to stop eating for 10 years.”
However, on Tuesday he admitted to a change of heart after seeing the impact the project had on his businesses.
“Not often I admit to being wrong, but my view on the Light Rail construction not affecting business is completely wrong,” Mr Imlach said.
“My opinion started to change a few months ago when I had staff ringing me about the jack hammering noise, the dust and the lack of carparking and council dishing out tickets.
“We are down 25-50 per cent in Nobby Beach and everyone in hospitality is saying the same.
“This will be three to five years of pain and it will be a game of survival.
In August, operators along the Gold Coast Highway were told 500 car parks would be lost to the Light Rail Stage 3 extension, which would take the route to Burleigh Heads.
On September 12, Light Rail workers put a sign up at Nobby Beach acknowledging majority of the parking out the front of Bine Bar and Dining and Okawari House, along Great Hall Drive and Chairlift Ave was no longer available for the public.
The sign read: “Parking Closure. Dates, From 6.30pm Tuesday 12 September 2023. Closure location, Gold Coast Highway Mermaid Beach. Parking will be closed to facilitate GCLR3 works. Failure to observe these signs will result in your vehicle being towed”.
Gold Coast City Council said 12 car spaces would be used on Great Hall Drive to locate a 70-tonne crane. .
Mr Imlach said they were “blindsided” by construction taking every car park “they can get their hands on”.
He said the construction in Nobby Beach had turned the area into a “ugly war zone”.
“We have lost the after-work crowd that pop in for one or two drinks as there is no where to park,” Mr Imlach said.
“I knew it was coming but we need to speak out about it on behalf of the smaller operators.
“I’m guessing 50 per cent of businesses won’t make it through”.
Mr Imlach said he was losing $15,000 to $20,000 a week at Bine Bar and Dining.
He still supports the direction of light rail for the city, but believes there needs to be a support package for small businesses and “more communication”.
A GoldlinQ spokesperson said the Light Rail works were one of several factors impacting parking at Nobby Beach.
“These works are scheduled to be complete later this month and the carparking will be temporarily reinstated,” they said.
“A workforce parking strategy is in place for Stage 3, with the construction team encouraged to take advantage of the established off-site parking sites and carpooling to work zones, as well as active travel.”
The Gold Coast Highway was reduced to one lane from Markeri Street to Cronulla Ave from July 9, when they began the next stage of construction.
GoldlinQ CEO Phil Mumford said the Stage 3 route was expected to be finished by the end of 2025.
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