THE Redland City Bulletin’s article last week on the proposal for an eat street-style markets in the car park behind the Cleveland Library sparked hundreds of responses.
Sharon and Colin Mason have applied to council for permission to run the open-air eatery Chefs Inc but they are opposed by existing restaurants who believe they risk financial ruin from the proposal.
Hog’s Breath Cafe national operations manager Paul Piert said there was no point to the Chefs Inc proposal given the high number of existing restaurants which are under financial stress.
Bruce Hennessy of Cleveland said he did not agree with the project.
He had asked many businesses in Cleveland what they thought of it and was yet to find a supporter.
Mr Hennessy said he wondered if councillors were aware of the history of such proposals.
Similar eat street-style projects had fallen over at Noosa, Terrigal on the central NSW coast and Cronulla, near Sydney.
Facebook comments showed residents are divided over the proposal. Adele Goode said the location for the Cleveland Chefs Inc set-up was a nightmare.
“It will take up valuable car parking which is imperative to local employees and library users,’’ she said. “If it's coming, it needs to be on grassland not on a vital car park.’’
Debbie Lawrence said she could not wait until it opened. “Keep the money in the Redlands, I say, rather than us driving in to Hamilton for the eat street experience,’’ Ms Lawrence said.
Chris Wheatley said street food vendors did not make money at the best of times let alone after the novelty wore off. “Been to the Cleveland markets lately?’’ he asked.
Owen Gustafson said restaurants with high overheads had to sit back and watch people with few overheads come in and take their business “same as with Uber trying to take over the taxi industry’’.
Ann Marshall said it was a great idea at a horrible location. “Hamilton works because it's in an industrial area and not surrounded by other food outlets.’’
Cr Peter Mitchell said he wanted to see the comments keep coming.
“This application is coming before council soon and it is important that we get a great cross section of our city so councillors can make a fair and balanced decision,’’ Cr Mitchell said.
Annette Balzary said it was a sad state of affairs when diners wanting to have a relaxed dinner in the Redlands after 8.30pm had staff packing up around them.
“Some will not even offer the desert menu or coffee. You get the distinct feeling they want you out?’’
Emily Larissa: “I loved hoggies before they changed up the new menu. Bring the old one back.’’
Sheri Chachi: “We need an Eat street to liven up Cleveland. Retirement central I call it.’’
John Davidson said all businesses complained about government interference until they wanted a handout or an authority to ensure their business was protected from opposition.
Rosemary O'Connor said part of the reason local restaurants were not doing well was the lack of variety and connection between Raby Bay and the Bloomfield St precinct.
“Raby Bay may appear vibrant and busy but up the road it’s dead,’’ she said.
