ALL THE HURLY BURLEIGH

Hospitality boss opens up on haters and why he’s good for the GC

HOSPO baron Ben May (below) reads all his haters’ comments – but is letting his businesses do the talking. The Burleigh Pavilion owner, who fired up locals by ousting operators of popular Nook cafe, says: “Hate makes me more resolute. You can’t please everyone but we’re pleasing a lot.”

BEN May has read your comments.

When news broke this week that the iconic Nook Cafe would close to make way for a new coffee kiosk from the “polarising” Burleigh Pavilion owner, the social media reaction was swift and nasty.

“The Burleigh destroyer strikes again.”

“Ben May has been toxic to the Burleigh vibe.”

“That’s what happens when you sell your soul to a blow-in from Sydney.”

It’s not really very nice. But then, Ben really doesn’t care.

While the keyboard warriors spit their venom, the almost-50-year-old father of four would rather let his business do the talking.

And boy, is it ever making a headline statement.

Despite a vocal minority blasting him both personally and for his business, he says locals are overwhelmingly in support of Burleigh Pavilion and voting with their wallets. Because business is booming at Burleigh.

And while he understands that change is hard – whether that’s watching your favourite seaside suburb swell in popularity, or losing a favourite cafe – Ben says there’s no bad blood … it’s literally just business.

“Nook k n e w when they signed the lease that it would

come to an end,” says Ben, who also owns and runs the Manly Wharf Hotel.

“Marcus (Wilkins) and the team are fantastic, they will go on to further success – but what kind of business owner and operator would I be if I didn’t realise all of the opportunities within the property that I bought?

“It’s the same with the Pavilion building … once I bought the lease, how could I not bring it up to its full potential? I will never do a half-arsed job. This is possibly the best site on the east coast of Australia and I was intent to make it the star that it should be.

“Some people are always going to hate, but the numbers we’re doing – and the amount of repeat clientele – I think shows that we have really given back to not just the Burleigh community but the Gold Coast and its tourism industry.

“It’s the same situation with the new kiosk … I’m hoping to come in and blow people away.

“Nook’s lease finishes on June 4, we’ll take a week or two to get ready before opening and then people can come and throw tomatoes.

“To be honest, the hate just makes me more resolute to keep doing what we’re doing – and continuing to do it well. You can’t please everyone … but we’re pleasing a lot.”

While Ben is the first to admit he does not (yet) call the Gold Coast home, he’s been a quasi-local for five decades.

With his grandmother living in Tugun, he’s been visiting and holidaying here since he was a child. And he says while the city has grown, its party vibe, surf culture and tourism-based economy has remained the same.

Which is why, when he first laid eyes upon the Pavilion site, he knew he had to have it.

He says despite the criticism that he has “ruined” the area by boosting its popularity, Burleigh was never going to stay a secret.

In fact, it’s never been a secret.

“When the Pavilion site came up, it was in receivership

and being sold by the banks, some of my mates who are locals tipped me off. I flew up and was blown away by its potential,” he says.

“The building itself was pretty average, it had been bodged together for 30 years. Its condition was about as bad as a seaside building can get.

“Rick Shores was there and was doing an amazing job and Oskars had been there forever but their lease was almost over, so it was time to make a change – which, of course, people find difficult.

“People struggle with change, whether it’s Oskars or Nook, whoever bought that building was going to do something similar to what I have done … it’s not rocket science. If you have a first-class location you need a first-class building and businesses.

“The bottom line is that the Gold Coast is a tourist town, everyone from the Mayor to the Premier agree on that.

“It’s venues like the Pavilion that end up on the Tourism Australia and Tourism Queensland social media pages and advertisements, that is what drives the economy of this town.

“The beaches and mountains will always attract people, but so do our venues. People come here to have a good time and that has always been the case — I’ve seen that for almost five decades.

“To say that Burleigh was a quiet spot before I came along is so far from the truth. It’s disingenuous. Look at Gemini Court on the Headland … you don’t build a high-rise in the early 80s if no one ever goes there.

“The Pavilion building has been there for a long time, with restaurants and businesses based there for a long time, it just wasn’t living up to its potential. Generally, people are loving it … and we’re providing a lot of jobs as well.”

The next plan for the Pavilion building is to bring back the ground-level pools … and yet again, Ben is trying to fight against a campaign of misinformation.

In particular, Burleigh MP Michael Hart has been vocal in opposing the new plans, which include an ice pool, a mineral pool, a saltwater pool, sauna, steam room and an area for body movement classes including yoga and pilates.

“Contrary to some people’s belief, the pool is not a community asset but is owned by the state government … and I have the commercial lease. That makes it a full business asset.

“Previously it was a swim school owned by Rackley’s … that was also a business. Nobody opposed that.

“Rackley’s is a great business, but the pool that was here was not in great condition. This building is old.

“But what we’re doing here now is going way beyond your average pool. We are really excited and people are going to love it.

“The irony is that a lot of people who have a problem with our plans, the older generation, what I’m building is way more suitable for their needs. It’s regenerative stuff and I’d think they would be some of our main clientele. We are trying to suit the community.”

Ben says he is still waiting for the council to give DA approval for the pool plan, but he hopes to be open by the summer.

He says he is not yet sure whether the business model will be by membership or usage.

The pool complex will include a renovated area where Nook currently sits, with the whole area opening up to the ocean and headland.

“It’s going to be next level,” he says.

Ben’s plans don’t end with his new waterworld, as he considers launching a catering company and brewery.

Meanwhile, as he raises his four sons – ages nine to 22, he’s also trying to mentor a new generation of GC business owners, including the chef and manager from the Pavilion who are his partners in Burleigh chicken shop Freddy’s.

“There are a few people who work for me that I’m trying to sponsor to take that next step in business. You need help and you need investors to get started,” he says.

“I bought into my first pub at the age of 26, the Light Brigade in Sydney, but of course I had help from investors. I needed that because I wasn’t from a pub family. Most hoteliers come from generations of ownership, it’s an expensive business to be in.

“These days, more than ever, you need to work for someone who helps you get in. It’s tougher than ever in business and property. That is something I think of for my sons as well. It’s hard out there but you can’t hand everything to them on a silver platter.”

While his family commitments mean he will remain based in Sydney for the next decade, he says moving to the Coast is his ultimate goal.

And by then, he’s positive he will have proved himself to locals.

“Ultimately, it’s about running a successful business. And a successful business is good for the Gold Coast.

“I know people have concerns about how busy Burleigh is, but we’re doing our best to look after the community.

“I believe in honouring the social contract. That’s part of the reason I said I didn’t have a lot of sympathy for people who couldn’t enter my business because they chose not to get vaccinated.

“I don’t make the rules, but I do have to follow them. And if you choose not to, you have to pay the price. It’s all still personal prerogative. You get to access free health care and use the roads and infrastructure but you have to abide by the rules or you get in trouble – you have to wear a seat belt and, to help protect others, you’re asked to get vaccinated. If you choose not to, there are consequences.

“I’m not trying to divide people, I’m trying to be a responsible business owner.”

And surely, no matter the negative comments, that has to be a positive.

To be honest, the hate just makes me more resolute to keep doing what we’re doing - and continuing to do it well. You can’t please everyone … but we’re pleasing a lot