Turf Club off-site expansion dependent on extra gaming machines
The Gold Coast Turf Club is taking on its first off-site bar operation in a bid to expand, but first it needs this one thing.
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THE expansion of the Gold Coast Turf Club into its first off-site bar is still waiting a green light, with the go-ahead revealed to be dependent on the approval of 80 gaming machines.
According to the state’s Liquor and Gaming register, the Gold Coast Turf Club Limited applied to secure a licence for 80 of the machines in August at the nearby One50 Public House on 150 Bundall Road.
The application is still pending.
It is understood the existing gaming licence for the site covers just 36 machines.
Gold Coast Turf Club chairman Brett Cook said negotiations about the site were ongoing.
“The site was covered by a hotel licence but given we are a club we needed to apply for a club licence, and are looking for a few extra machines,” he said.
“The lease terms are subject to getting the licence, but we are looking at a few other locations as well if we get approval for the machines.” he said.
As revealed last month the waterfront tavern acquisition was part of the Club’s plan to offer employment stability to hospitality staff and to follow in the footsteps of Victorian and NSW racing operations which have large, profitable off-site operations.
The turf club plans to enter into a five-year lease with long-term leasing renewal options and the ability to purchase in the near future.
PENDING GAMING APPROVALS:
* The Boardwalk Tavern on Hope Island wants to extend opening hours by an extra hour, to close at 3:30am from Thursday to Saturday and 10:20am Sunday to Wednesday.
* Hope Island Tavern on Hope Island wants to extend its trading hours by two hours to 4am on Monday through to Sunday.
* Ferry Road Tavern in Southport is seeking an extra half hour to operate until 4am Monday – Sunday.
* Burleigh Heads Rugby League Club in Miami is looking to extend its gaming trading hours from 12am to 2am.
* Melbas on Cavill avenue is seeking 40 gaming machines.
APPROVED:
* Runaway Bay Tavern was recently approved for extending gaming hours to 4am, and given extended trading hours for the main premises to stay open until 2am.
*Vinnies Dive in Southport is now approved to stay open until 1am Friday – Saturday and 12am Sunday – Thursday.
*Surfers Paradise Tavern has been approved for 45 gaming machines.
EARLIER:
THE Gold Coast Turf Club is taking on its first off-site hospitality operation in a bid to expand and also give hospitality staff more stability.
The club is on the cusp of entering into a long-term lease to operate nearby One50 Tavern in a deal which includes an option to buy it outright in future.
The all-but done deal was confirmed by Turf Club chairman Brett Cook and the 150 Bundall Road site owner’s syndicate spokesman Max Delmege, a former Manly SeaEagles co-owner and big rugby league fan.
The waterfront tavern with pokies and cocktail lounge was perfect for the Turf Club according to Mr Cook, who said the acquisition was part of a Club’s plan to offer employment stability to hospitality staff and non-race day entertainment to the public.
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Mr Cook added both Victorian and NSW racing operations had large profitable off-site hospitality operations.
“We’re following a similar model to them,” he said. “If we can make a success of this we will look at some more.
“The last few years the Turf Club has been going well, and we can expand our business now, which helps with staff retention.
“When they work for one day in the week at the racecourse, it’s hard to retain the good ones, that is a key reason we are doing this.”
Mr Delmege, on behalf of the site’s ownership syndicate, said the area needed a venue with a sport focus - particularly rugby league and racing – and his syndicate were open to the Turf Club buying the site in future.
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“All we want to see is they succeed and we certainly wouldn’t stand in the way of them purchasing the premises,” he said.
With the Gold Coast City Council chambers and HOTA nearby, occupied offices in the surrounding precinct and a plan to entice boaties via improved moorings, Mr Cook is bullish the venue can thrive in a competitive market wrangling with the effects of COVID-19.
“So many new venues have opened on the Gold Coast over the past decade, but you have to keep the patrons engaged and give them reasons to keep coming back which is a challenge for every operator,” he said.
“We’ll change it from a hotel to a club which is easier for us to manage and turn a profit.”
LUXURY BEACHFRONT TOWER PLANNED FOR COAST SITE
The plan was to open under a new name - which is still be decided - from November 1.
“We are right in the middle of the process of selecting a name for the venue. It’ll be something short and sharp to attract a younger demographic but we will go with something that will appeal to all patrons,” Mr Cook said.
The turf club plans to enter into a five-year lease with long-term leasing renewal options and the ability to purchase in the near future.
Originally published as Turf Club off-site expansion dependent on extra gaming machines