Business owners say decision to sell car park will cripple trade
THE uncertainty about the future of the Bruce Bishop car park is creating economic chaos for Surfers Paradise businesses confronted with having to renew their leases.
Both long-time business owners and recent arrivals are united in wanting the sale and redevelopment of the car park halted while its approval is the subject of a CCC investigation.
Nicky Kemp, who operates the popular hair salon Hair a la Natural in nearby Alison Street, knows the car park is critical for small business operators.
“Our hair salon is right next door to the Bruce Bishop car park and our business relies on the parking as most of our clients are in the salon for two and a half to three hours,” Ms Kemp said. “We just renewed our lease. It was a big decision. If the car park closes our business will collapse.”
Others say they just want clarity about the future of the site and whether they would still be operating.
Jaimie Byers, who recently opened Old Aussie Bakehouse on the corner of Beach Road and Surfers Paradise Boulevard, said the decsion to sell was “totally ridiculous”.
“They should not be trying to get rid of it because a lot of local businesses have already been affected,” she said.
“This will have a huge impact because it is one of the few places left where you can park.
“They really should halt the sale until the investigation is completed.”
Salt Meats Cheese owner Alessandro Vicinanza said he and other operators within the Surfers Paradise Transit Centre were in the dark of their long-term future.
“We would like to get some clarity about its future,” he said.
“For the time being it is business as usual but we still need to know what is happening. It is an uncertain time but we will keep going
and try not to think about it.”
Another tourist operator based near the car park was furious after learning of council’s decision.
“We renewed our lease committing to another 10 years minimum, with a very large investment in upgrading our business and new signage,” said the operator, who declined to be named.
“We wouldn’t have made that investment decision and commitment if we had known that the Bruce Bishop car park was going to be sold. Our business is highly dependent on parking.”
Save Surfers Paradise group secretary Deborah Kelly said the response in the tourism heart was strong.
“I’ve only spoken to one gentleman who said it was a good idea (to sell). The feeling in Surfers Paradise is 100 per cent against something happening to that asset,” Ms Kelly said.
The Aquaduck is a 22-year veteran of Surfers Paradise and owner Victor “the Admiral” Cooley said he was deeply concerned about the impact the car park’s loss would have on his business, with many of his customers using it daily.
“The sale is ridiculous. It should be halted,” he said.
“I use it daily as do three or four of my employees, as well as our customers.
“If it is gone it will make it much harder for us to get our customers in here to catch the Aquaduck on time.”