Gold Coast Mayor tells businesses bemoaning lack of Games trade to ‘have a good crack at it’

Traders are losing hope they’ll get to bathe in the rivers of gold they were promised in the lead-up to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games as Mayor Tate cops it for his take.

TOO much, too little or too late?

Despite forecasts the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games would have an estimated $2 billion economic impact on the Gold Coast and Queensland, the city is barely as busy this weekend as it is during summer.

GOLDOC and Gold Coast Tourism forecast the Games would generate 30,000 full-time equivalent jobs across various sectors and attract 672,000 visitors, including 50,000 from overseas.

Thumbs up: Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate (left) with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Prince Charles at the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England.

GAMES BOOST FINALLY ARRIVES IN SOUTHPORT

However, it’s hard to find any small businesses drowning in rivers of gold.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate was asked about retailers’ claims they are not getting the traffic they expected when he appeared at an event at Commonwealth House on Friday,.

“Well, I look around and you must be talking to different retailers,” he said.

“The place is supercharged, the coffees are good, they are putting more employees in as well, so for those ones that are not making it, have a look at your own product.”

Cr Tate’s comments angered scores of local traders, particularly in Surfers Paradise.

Mercedes Frenger, 31, assistant manager of Gringo Loco Cantina ... with her empty restaurant and bar, which is in the prime position on the beach at the end of Cavill Ave in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

Broadbeach’s Love Nightlife owner Louise Huxham, like many operators, has stocked up for the Games and brought in extra staff, but on Friday night said so far there was little dent being made in the stockpile.

“It’s not good,” she told the Bulletin.

“We have seen no additional business and actually seen a decrease,” she said, adding it was actually below what it would normally be for a Friday.

“Every Friday and Saturday night we get solid numbers here — and we are not getting it.”

She had resorted to bringing up bar staff in typically saucy outfits to work streetside as promo girls to attract more walk-up business.

Love Nightlife bar staff Alisha Caldwell, India Orrock and Kayla Hellestone doing a little streetside promo cameo on Friday night. Picture Mike Batterham

Several Broadbeach operators said Mayor Tom Tate’s comments to have a look at their product and get out and market had made them see red.

One Surf Paradise operator, noting many nearby car parks had been taken over for the Games said: “You can’t market a business if you don’t have car parks for people.”

Gold Coast family the Ramjeets were out in Broadbeach last night for the free concert, and Kishan Ramjeet said he thought it would be busier: “I was expecting it to be chaotic.”

His wife Amee added: “When the Blues Fest is on there are a lot more people.”

Mr and Mrs Amee Ramjeet and Kishan Ramjeet with their sons Shay 8 and Kael 5 enjoying free Festival 2018 entertainment live in Broadbeach on Friday night. The lack of a crowd surprised them. Picture Mike Batterham

Asked what advice he had for traders who say business is down, Cr Tate said he’d advise them “have a good crack at it”.

“Mate, you’re going to have to have a crack. I mean the fish are swimming in the stream,” he said.

“If you are in a spot and you’re not throwing the right bait have a look at who else is attracting it. Somebody must be promoting a more fun aspect, a more — you know, it might be a commonwealth coffee, you know, get out there and market. I never sat still when I ran my businesses.

“I’d say “look, it’s there. Have a good crack at it. If that doesn’t work have another try.

It’s no use whining about it because in 10 days its all over.”

Borobi toughs things out alone on the beachfront in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian.

At 5pm on Saturday, Surfers Paradise was still very, very quiet, with more than 800 empty carparks in the Bruce Bishop public carpark according to the LED sign outside the facility.

The mayor appeared to backtrack on his comments in a statement issued on Saturday.

“I’m sorry my support for business has been misinterpreted,” he said.

“I respect that businesses have done a lot to be ‘Games ready’. Since Thursday, I have been using key media outlets across south east Queensland to encourage everyone to get out and vote with their wallets.”