Eateries need to put food on table

GOLD Coast restaurateurs are backing calls by city leaders to use the $35 million left over from the Commonwealth Games to revive business.

Fellini restaurant owner Carlo Percuoco said businesses were still struggling.

“During Easter we were about 40 per cent down on any other year, which was due to Commonwealth Games and the infrastructure building that was going on,” he said.

“The Games was an absolute disaster and because of the negative press after that tourism has dropped significantly.

“It has been a quieter winter than average because of that.”

He said the money should be used to re-market the Gold Coast and its food scene.

Michelle Christoe, coowner of NightQuarter at Helensvale, which employs 600 people and more than 100 small businesses, said trade reached 10-20 per cent of what was promised during the city’s biggest-ever event.

In a letter to Games Minister Kate Jones in June, Ms Christoe said small businesses wanted the Federal and State Governments to conduct a review and provide relief to small business on the Gold Coast”.

“We have since been quieter than normal and definitely not the economic boost that was promised,” she wrote.

Yesterday, she supported Games Shadow Minister JohnPaul Langbroek’s call to use a big chunk of the $35 million for the city’s benefit.

“I would support the money being given to Gold Coast Tourism,” she said.

Broadbeach restaurants expected plenty of business during the Games and have asked for help after that did not eventuate.