Darwin’s Sweet Brew cafe hit with vandalism, anti-social behaviour following new bus stop

A popular Darwin cafe has been hit with a wave of vandalism and anti-social behaviour after a new bus stop was planted outside its doorstep, with its business owner revealing she is now fearful for her staff and customers and considering shutting up shop.

Sweet Brew co-owner Brigid Beilby says the new bus stop planted outside her cafe has brought significant anti-social behaviour and vandalism. Picture: Harry Brill.

A popular Darwin cafe has been hit with a wave of vandalism and anti-social behaviour after a new bus stop was planted outside its doorstep, with its business owner revealing she is now fearful for her staff and customers.

For eight consecutive years, Stuart Park’s Sweet Brew has served everyone from loyal locals to the Prime Minister himself, providing coffee-lovers a delightful place to start the day.

Until recently, the cosy cafe had managed to largely avoid criminal activity and stressful situations.

However, in October a bus stop was planted right outside the cafe, bringing a large volume of people – and problems – to the venue’s doorstep.

The front window of the cafe has been smashed and graffitied multiple times since the bus stop was planted. Picture: Harry Brill.

With no shade, rubbish bin, seating area or water fountain to complement the new stop, the cafe has become a dumping ground for empty bottles, needles, and vandals.

For co-owner Brigid Beilby, however, her biggest concern is the rise in aggression.

“I’m very worried, I have even implemented a policy for my staff that essentially says if you feel threatened, leave the premises, leave out the back doors, leave them in here to do whatever it is that they want to do,” she told this masthead.

“I would prefer my staff are safe – the premises is nothing to me compared to the staff.”

Week after week, strangers have disrupted Ms Beilby’s establishment, sometimes threatening staff and even trying to make their way into the bar area.

“Staff are now starting to feel unsafe, even my male staff who are normally really comfortable dealing with conflict.”

The back entrance of the cafe has not fared much better.

When the bus stop was first introduced, Ms Beilby said it was like “hitting a brick wall” trying to explain to authorities to risk it posed to her staff and customers.

“It’s also giving me guilt, because I can’t always be on the premises,” she said.

“What if something's happening right now and I’m not aware of it? What if someone is hurt?”

With more than 50 employees to care for across her business ventures, Mr Beilby confessed she had considered leaving Darwin.

“It’s starting to make me second-guess whether doing business in the Territory is worthwhile for us,” she said.

“I’m a mother, so I think about my children all the time.”

A Department of Logistics and Infrastructure spokesperson told this publication efforts were underway to address the situation.

“This bus stop has been raised as an issue with the Department,” they said.

“An inspection was carried out earlier this week and consideration of solutions is underway.”

Originally published as Darwin’s Sweet Brew cafe hit with vandalism, anti-social behaviour following new bus stop