Banora shops outrage

By Jo Kennett

SEVERAL BUSINESS owners, who were promised new premises once the redevelopment of the Banora Shopping Village was finished, are furious after receiving a 30 day notice to vacate.

The Coles supermarket closed in February, with a Woolworths supermarket to go in once the redevelopment is completed, and the post office has relocated to Tweed Heights Shopping Village on Amaroo Drive, but many businesses are still open and some will stay.

Some business owners were told there would be space for them in the new shopping centre, leading them to hang on through months of inconvenience and big losses in revenue as the redevelopment started and foot traffic dropped drastically.

They were shocked and devastated to be given 30 days to vacate with no warning, no compensation and no offer of an alternate location from the centre management, who manage shopping centres throughout Queensland and Northern NSW.

They are also furious they are being asked to pay the full rent despite the loss of trade.

Cafe 88 announced on Monday, August 7, that they are closing due to the decline in trade.

Another business owner, who did not want to be named, said they did not receive an offer from management to relocate in the new village once it’s completed.

“That’s tough after being in business here for 17 years,” the owner said.

“They haven’t offered anything and we are not the only ones; everyone is in the same boat.

“The owners out the front have offers to stay because they aren’t renovating that bit.

“They have gutted some of the shops and put fencing around the outside and it has looked derelict for months, even though there are still shops open inside.

“We are devastated but it’s the old people that can’t travel who will be left with nowhere to go for all their requirements.

“A lot of shops had to close before they went totally broke.”

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