Nando’s Palmer St shut Flagship no more

A RESTAURANT that was meant to be a flagship for Nando’s in Townsville has closed 20 months after a plush $ 1 million fitout.

The website for Nando’s, renowned for its spiced flame- grilled chicken, simply says: “Sorry, this restaurant has flown the coop.”

While the restaurant trade is a tough industry, business people and Palmer St traders say the closure is not so much reflective of wider problems but changing tastes.

The Palmer St restaurant employed 20 to 30 staff and was an investment of about $ 1 million for Nando’s Australia, part of a group with 270 outlets nationally and more than 1000 worldwide.

The doors closed on Sunday and agents now are seeking another operator for what is one of the eat street’s largest sites, seating 270 including outdoor seating for 80.

Ray White Commercial’s Troy Townsend said he was receiving strong interest from operators and thought the “takeaway feel” of Nando’s may have caused some difficulties in the fine dining precinct.

“A lot of fine dining restaurants on the street are going extremely well,” Mr Townsend said.

Jam Corner owner Matt Merrin said it may have been that Nando’s had not evolved to changing tastes.

He said breakfast dining had grown because it was more affordable, while TV cooking shows meant people were a “bit more savvy” and sought interesting and creative food.

“In terms of Palmer St, it’s still a solid ( dining) destination for people,” Mr Merrin said. “We’ve had consistent growth over the last few years ( but) we would be one of the few to buck the trend in Townsville.”

Meanwhile, a $ 4 million makeover of Palmer St, led by Townsville City Council, is set to get under way, including an upgrade to paving ahead of Christmas.