Bransfords Tackle: Cairns fishing business sells to NightOwl boss, developer Adam Adams

A Cairns institution is about to be transformed as one of the Far North’s most successful tycoons adds another feather to his growing business empire.

A CAIRNS institution is about to be transformed as one of the Far North’s most successful tycoons adds another feather to his growing business empire.

Bransfords Tackle Shop has sold its property to Cairns businessman and developer Adam Adams, with a Mobil service station, Clifton Village Takeaway restaurant and small supermarket thrown into the deal.

The world-famous fishing gear shop will still operate on a lease from the Clifton Beach site on the Captain Cook Highway – but first it will undergo a major remodelling effort to start in late-October.

World famous fishing and tackle shop Bransfords has been sold to convenience store and hotel mogul Adam Adams. Bransfords owner Keith Graham is looking forward to remodelling the shop, which opened 28 years ago, to coexist with a 24 hour Night Owl service station and store. Picture: Brendan Radke

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Mr Adams plans to invest big money into upgrading the entire operation, while maintaining the Mobil service station and opening a new NightOwl convenience store as part of the mix.

Bransfords owner Keith Graham could not be more excited about the future.

“It’s another era for us after 28 years – you don’t get that long for murder,” he said.

“My wife Vicky and I are in our mid to late-60s and it’s a very busy business, so the workload is just getting too much.

“I’ve known Adam for years going back to when I bought a vehicle or two off him at Adams Motors.

“What he is doing is fantastic. It needed a remodel.”

The deal will allow the Grahams to focus solely on the tackle shop side of the business while Mr Adams oversees the rest.

The NightOwl store is likely to operate 24-7 – a rarity for the northern beaches – and the current eatery will be extended.

Adam Adams has built a business empire as franchisor for NightOwl. Picture: Adam Smith

“I won’t say how much he’s spending, but it is considerable coin,” Mr Graham said.

In the meantime, Bransfords has slashed prices – deals include $50 for four crab pots – in an effort to move $750,000 worth of stock.

Mr Adams has built an enviable business portfolio since opening his first NightOwl store with wife Katrina in Cairns in 2002 and buying the overall franchise in 2007.

The new-look Benson Hotel has gone from ugly duckling to CBD swan. Picture: Brendan Radke

The company now has 73 stores across Australia and holds strong market share in the Far North Queensland convenience store sector – although competition is coming after 7-Eleven announced plans to open 15 stores in Cairns and Townsville by June next year.

Mr Adams owned the now defunct Adams Motors – which has been touted for potential redevelopment as a Containers for Change bottle and can recycling depot – but is increasingly focused on the accommodation sector.

He has launched two new hotels in Cairns in the past year with the Oaks Cairns Hotel built on the Esplanade, and the overhauled Benson Hotel opening on the site of the former Rydges Plaza Hotel, which he bought for $11 million.

Mr Adams has been asked for comment.

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Originally published as Bransfords Tackle: Cairns fishing business sells to NightOwl boss, developer Adam Adams