The Gold Coast economy has claimed another victim. One of my local coffee shops here in Southport sadly closed its doors earlier this week, unable to compete with ongoing cost pressures and the effects of a battered local economy.
I took a walk around Southport this morning and what I saw was a suburb that is a shadow of its former self. Southport was once a desired business and shopping destination but shops are closing one after the other as the government’s economic mismanagement destroys both large and small businesses.
I am a business owner myself and to lose something that I have put countless hours and dedication into establishing would be soul destroying. We need to restore Southport to its former days where it was always considered to be the cities natural CBD. Southport shouldn’t be a place that potential business owners shy away from.
The upcoming elections, both local and State, are an opportunity for us to all make a change. Southport should be a destination of thriving opportunity. The Council elections are in March and the entire city needs to rally behind the new Mayor. I will personally support and work with whoever is elected to ensure the city and Southport is well positioned to capitalize on their potential.
Hi Rob,
Totally agree with you but it’s not just Southport it’s everywhere. I think it has just hit Southport a little harder with the double wammy of the light rail caos.
We need to be very clear about the small business future of the Gold Coast whilst ever these state and local government PIP charges are in force for commercial lessees. No one is having a go opening new ventures and employing staff when they know that on top of all the fit out costs they need to take out a second mortgage to pay the change of use PIP charges. Everyone understands the need for charging developers who put pressure on infrastructure that may not be able to cope and may need upgrading to accommodate the new developers project but $68,000 to change the use of a book shop into a coffee shop, $200,0000 for changing a furniture shop into a Gym they have all gone mad. Typical labour they think anyone in their own business is made of money and the workers are the poor and disadvantaged. If I have a bad week my workers get paid but I get butkis…I have a successful business but you know the coast it’s a fickle pickle and something as simple as the kids going back to school next week limits retail purchases to school shoes, uniforms and stationery. Please fight to have these ridiculous charges removed Rob or the coast really is doomed.
Regards
Louise Thompson
I know of dance studios etc who would LOVE to have their own premises but due to crazily strict zoning regulations and costs they are stuck with renting school halls to run their classes.
The gold coast makes life insane for local small businesses!
In regards to Southport – while I’ll happily go their during the day that area creeps me out during the night. Something needs to be done to improve Southports image to make it a viable CBD for the GC IMHO.
I think it is a little unfair and ridiculous that you try and make the argument that this is solely the current governments fault!!
Simply take two seconds to look around at other world economies and you will see that not everything is roses!
Should the people of Japan kick the Japanese government out for the drop in tourism dollars over the last 12 months?
Maybe the world price of coffee reduced their profits and therefore it was not as viable as it once was, I guess that is the current governments fault on all levels?
Changing governments will change absolutely nothing. A new Mayor is hardly going to make Southport some sought after destination.
I totally agree and whilst Southport is not alone is does have issues peculiar to itself. Your right it was thriving area and still has a lot to offer but the general atmosphere does not encourage other businesses and particularly retail to move here. Our current councillor takes objection to anyone expressing such views and particularly when they relate to the general safety and security of people as they walk through Southport at night.
I live in the CBD and am careful in the evenings and am very uncomfortable around the Scarborough St bus stop. The Council needs to bolster the area and get on with the Southport Plan it spent a fortune publishing. Yes the light rail project and all its disruptions has a lot to answer for but it is bigger than this.
The State Govt spent $50M creating the Broadwater Parklands completely overlooking the integration into the greater Southport CBD – we have a highway separating it form the commercial area.
There is no single reason but Southport needs some positive stimulus and some forward thinking. The local and state government need to take the initiative and encourage commercial business back into the area. At present it is largely focussed on overseas student services and we need to take a broader view of putting the life back into the area.
Love this post by “Rate Rise Rob” and the “ongoing cost pressures” that forced the closure of a coffee shop in Southport.
What hypocrisy from a person who, as Chairman of the Finance Committee, increased rates on unit dwellers by 40% & introduced a “view tax” on units.
We haven’t forgotten Rob & will remember you on the 24th March.
My parents own a business in the heart of Southport and for them, business has never been better. In the face of current economic conditions, I think that’s good going.
It’s irresponsible to hold up the failure of one coffee shop as indicative of “economic mismanagement” by a state government, particularly when many businesses are thriving.
There are numerous reasons why a business may go under. The economy is just one of them. Even in a terrible economy its possible to thrive through creativity and continued marketing.
I wish you well Rob… If your current activity level is anything to go by you will do a good job
Small business is really struggling on the GC. The current running costs coupled with increased marketing by the larger centres and companies and a tightening in the available dollar is pushing many small companies to the wall. Was approached by a company recently who are putting together a series of directories aimed at promoting just small business. Sounded like a great idea. Hope it works because small business really needs it