AND WHERE THE HELL ARE THEY?
HOSPITALITY and tourist bosses are urging people to “get among” the Commonwealth Games, with patronage so abysmal one operator says there are “more police than patrons”.
Build-up Easter trade for businesses has been quiet and many cafe, bar and restaurants bosses are reporting dire customer numbers on the first three days of the Games.
Beachfront hotel room prices are being slashed by hundreds in a bid for late bookings and the M1 – which many tipped would be a nightmare – is running like a dream.
Operators on tenterhooks hope trade picks up as the Games wear on and some of the 6000 athletes finish competing. Many nervous operators have stockpiled booze, ordered in extra produce and put on more staff.
Hospitality identity Billy Cross joined Gold Coast Tourism chairman Paul Donovan in yesterday urging locals to get out and enjoy the Games and its associated festival.
“I drove to Main Beach to get a haircut the other day and got there quicker than I have any other time,” Mr Cross said. “So I think it’s about locals going ‘Hey this is our Games as well, let’s get out and embrace it, enjoy it and really take advantage of it’.
“Gold Coasters did the right think and thought ‘OK, we’re not going to drive around’ but people are now saying ‘it’s not as bad as we thought’ so let’s get out, drive and enjoy it.”
Mr Cross, who opened swanky Nineteen rooftop bar and restaurant at The Star just before the Games, said its bookings were strong “but at The Star there is a lot of action and people so we’re really busy”.
Outside that Games hub, it’s a dramatically different story.
Southport’s Zippy’s Cafe is doing 10 coffees a day, down from an average 200 and sending staff home early.
The Bedroom nightclub general manager Brad Oliver said central Surfers Paradise was quiet on Thursday night and “dead” the night of opening ceremony.
“I’m all for having the Gold Coast on show. But I just hope we benefit from it because at the moment it’s gone in the opposite direction.
“They gave it so much hype that the traffic was going to be so bad, I feel like they have scared locals away. People felt they weren’t going to be able to get here,” Mr Oliver said.
“We are so reliant on locals. It feels like there are more police than patrons.”
Soho bar owner Scott Imlach said trade was “well down” and “it’s taking me less time to get to work than it ever has”.
“I hope locals come back shortly but I think a lot of them have gone to Bali. My brother has businesses in the Sunshine Coast and said it is absolutely pumping there.”
Moo Moo restaurant owner Steve Adams said it had been “dreadful” so far and “massively down” on expectations.
“I remain in hope but the losses so far are a lot to catch up.”
Games organising committee (GOLDOC) chairman Mark Peters said some people may have been spooked by the message to stay off the roads during the Games but crowds were steadily building in the party precincts of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.
“We’re not hearing the ghost town discussion,” Mr Peters said yesterday.
“The discussions we’ve had is (that) a number of people are way beyond their normal trading days. There’s people coming all the time into the Coast. The airport is abuzz.”
Mr Peters said the free festival was cranking up and with great weather forecast the next few days, talk could soon be about “too many people on the Coast”.
Gold Coast North Chamber of Commerce president Martin Brady said: “People are being affected all across the board.”
But added: “We have to look at the infrastructure it is bringing as well as recognition to Gold Coast. Some people might find inconveniences but overall we have to support the Games.”
Asked about traders’ gripes, bullish Mayor Tom Tate said: “We must be talking to different retailers. The place is supercharged, the coffee is super good, so for those ones not making it, have a look at your own product.”
Mr Donovan said people who had been “worried” about traffic needn’t be: “Get out and enjoy the great activities surrounding the Games. There are lots of people on trams but traffic is not a problem.”