Cafes at the Australian National University are concerned they face rising rents, longer opening hours and restrictions on what they can serve as negotiations continue on contracts for a temporary site in an upcoming pop-up village.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Stage one of the $220 million Union Court and University Avenue redevelopment will see a series of buildings knocked down and some vendors moved into the temporary food and entertainment precinct while permanent sites are built.
ANU Union will not manage the ANU's bar for the first time in decades, with the Burley Group announced successful tenderer for the temporary site. Broddog and Mr Papa will also move into the pop-up.
One cafe owner, who asked to remain anonymous, said retailers were still in the dark about what was expected, but had been asked to pay for the entire fit-out of what would be their home for about 18 months.
He said ANU had indicated rent would rise by about $1500 a month and all food and drink shops would have to open between 9am and 9pm.
"Nobody knows exactly what's happening or what's going to happen," the owner said.
"The cost will be $60,000 for the fit-out. We are not a big business so in 18 months I'd be surprised if we made $50,000.
"At the moment if we go ahead it's not worth it for us. There's no guarantee we're going to have space once it's done."
An ANU spokesman said: "At this stage negotiations with vendors for the ANU pop-up village are ongoing and we are unable to comment until contracts are in place.
"We look forward to announcing a full list of vendors when negotiations are complete."
ANU student publication Woroni has written about a legal stoush between the owners of the popular The Gods Cafe and Bar and the university over plans to move the cafe to the pop-up site.
The Gods declined to speak to Fairfax Media as legal processes continued.
The pop-up village will operate until early 2019.
The completed Union Court and University Avenue project will feature new teaching and student buildings, a purpose-built events and theatre building, student accommodation, a swimming pool, gym, outdoor spaces and amphitheatre as well as bars, event pavilions, cafes, services, shops and underground parking.
