STATEMENT FROM COFFS HARBOUR CITY COUNCIL:

Council can advise that the current lease expired in December 2020 and at the time the tenant was given formal notice of the expiration of the tenancy as per Council’s requirements under the Retail Leases Act. The tenant was advised that the Council would be undertaking a competitive expressions of interest process through an external independent agency for a new three year lease of the facility.

The expression of interest opened on 12 February 2021 and closed on 17 March 2021 and at the end of the period, 7 expressions of interest had been received, these were shortlisted to 3 who were interviewed.

On 31 March 2021 all applicants were advised of the outcome. The choice of the successful applicant was unanimous across the panel.

The successful applicant is Mr Jonathon Oates, who runs the Hub Café in Sawtell and Woolgoolga as well as the Hub Kiosk at the CEX International Stadium. Mr Oates is due to commence at the Jetty Foreshores on 21 May 2021.