30/04/2010
MCC no regard for Small Business

Bourke St cafe tenancy dispute boils over

29 Apr 10 @ 07:00am by Hamish Heard

MELBOURNE Council faces a compensation claim after it ignored thousands of petitioners and booted a popular cafe from its Bourke St home.

Sweet Mama’s Cafe closed its doors for good last week after it was evicted from its council-owned premises of eight years.

The eviction has enraged co-owner George Mantizanidis, who said he and a business partner had lost about $200,000 in set-up costs and that four people had lost their jobs.

“I’m angry and disappointed because you establish a relationship with literally thousands of people,” he said.

“I know what coffee people want just by looking at their face and now it’s all gone - and that’s the saddest part.”

Nearly 2000 customers signed a petition pleading with the council to reconsider its decision.

Talks to move the 25sq m cafe to a different part of the building failed last month when the council issued its eviction order.

Mr Mantzanidis recently hired tenants advocacy service The Lease Police, which last week released a statement detailing plans to seek compensation from the council.

“This matter will proceed to (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal) for damages and it is clear there are separate agendas and directions for the (council) that affect people and business with little or no regard,” the statement said.

But council released its own statement, saying it had fulfilled all of its obligations as the building’s landlord.

“The decision not to offer Sweet Mama’s a further lease was a commercial decision and does not reflect council’s view of the success or quality of Sweet Mama’s Cafe,” council chief executive Kathy Alexander said.

The cafe’s tenancy has been under a cloud since late 2008 when the Commonwealth Bank, which occupied the majority of the ground floor at 225 Bourke St, vacated the building.

Councillors are expected to grant a 10-year lease on the property, for $355,000 a year, to youth fashion company Globalize at a confidential meeting tonight.

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30/04/2010 MCC no regard for Small Business Bourke St cafe tenancy dispute boils over 29 Apr 10 @ 07:00am by Hamish Heard MELBOURNE Council faces a compensation claim after it ignored thousands of petitioners and booted a popular cafe from its Bourke St home. Sweet Mama’s Cafe closed its doors for good last week after it was evicted from its council-owned premises of eight years. The eviction has enraged co-owner George Mantizanidis, who said he and a business partner had lost about $200,000 in set-up costs and that four people had lost their jobs. “I’m angry and disappointed because you establish a relationship with literally thousands of people,” he said. “I know what coffee people want just by looking at their face and now it’s all gone - and that’s the saddest part.” Nearly 2000 customers signed a petition pleading with the council to reconsider its decision. Talks to move the 25sq m cafe to a different part of the building failed last month when the council issued its eviction order. Mr Mantzanidis recently hired tenants advocacy service The Lease Police, which last week released a statement detailing plans to seek compensation from the council. “This matter will proceed to (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal) for damages and it is clear there are separate agendas and directions for the (council) that affect people and business with little or no regard,” the statement said. But council released its own statement, saying it had fulfilled all of its obligations as the building’s landlord. “The decision not to offer Sweet Mama’s a further lease was a commercial decision and does not reflect council’s view of the success or quality of Sweet Mama’s Cafe,” council chief executive Kathy Alexander said. The cafe’s tenancy has been under a cloud since late 2008 when the Commonwealth Bank, which occupied the majority of the ground floor at 225 Bourke St, vacated the building. Councillors are expected to grant a 10-year lease on the property, for $355,000 a year, to youth fashion company Globalize at a confidential meeting tonight. 13/08/2010 Christo's Cafe Soldier on!! Cafe wins relief in Pitt Street row KELSEY MUNRO URBAN AFFAIRS August 13, 2010 Renovation row ... John Sophios says his cafe's business has fallen by up to 30 per cent. Photo: Ben....... 11/08/2010 Westfield Sore Losers !!! Media Release – Christos Café versus Westfield, Sydney City (Part 3) Christos Café of Sydney is seeking 100s thousands in damages from Westfield for the impact the....... 23/06/2010 COMPO AWARD AGAINST GPT Retail giant GPT has been ordered to compensate the owners of a Charlestown Square shop whose business took a hit from work on the centre's $470 million redevelopment. Theodoulos and Lenia Nicolaou....... 30/04/2010 MCC no regard for Small Business Bourke St cafe tenancy dispute boils over 29 Apr 10 @ 07:00am by Hamish Heard MELBOURNE Council faces a compensation claim after it ignored thousands of petitioners and booted a popular....... 04/03/2010 Shopping Centres Seek to Ban Politicians On 27th January this year in what can only be described as a slow news day Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper front page headline read as follows... "EXCLUSIVE: Shopping Centres want....... 21/09/2009 Westfield and Tiffany & Co don't see eye to eye Breakfast at Tiffany's may have been Audrey Hepburns idea of a classy start to the day but Austraila's shopping centre giant Westfield has upset the high end retailer as the following report....... 29/06/2009 Fed Court Order Against Melb Landlord The Federal Court has ordered a Melbourne retail landlord to compensate four tenants after it engaged in unconscionable, misleading and deceptive conduct. The court declared Dukemaster engaged in....... 13/01/2009 Tough Times Force Shopping Centres to lower rents SHOPPING centre owners are offering to slash rents for struggling retailers to help them stay afloat rather than risk being left with rows of empty shops. Shopping Centre Council of....... 23/01/2008 Watch Your Space !!! Westfield settles on dispute over 2.7sq m Author: Tina Perinotto Date: 19/02/2003 20:25:45 Words: 580 Publication: The Australian Financial Review Section: Property Source: AFR The area.......


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