Pop-up shop at Bondi Pavilion receives community complaints

By SASHA FOOT

Confusion surrounding the approval of a pop-up venue at Bondi Pavilion has emerged in recent weeks.

The retail pop-up, Loubi’s on the Beach, received complaints from community group Friends of Bondi Pavilion, who contacted Waverley Council and questioned whether the store was formally approved.

According to a Facebook post made by Friends of Bondi Pavilion, the pop-up store partnered with the neighbouring Bondi Promenade cafe.

The group stated they were “seriously unimpressed” that commercial companies could use the heritage venue as an advertising board, noting it was an “unlovely sandwich board”.

Several residents called it “trashy”, while another questioned why “an eye sore” was allowed to detract from the adherence to heritage requirements undertaken in the $48 million renovations.

Power shortage at Bondi Pavilion

In 2021, Waverley Council announced that the new dining tenants were considerate and experienced in working in buildings of heritage significance.

Adding to the recent oversight of the pavilion was a power shortage, in which the council underestimated how much electricity they needed to power the site.

A diesel generator has been installed on the side of the building whilst necessary upgrades occur – expected to take several months.

Bondi Resident Mandy Dodds told City Hub she was disappointed to learn that despite the pavilion undergoing renovations for several years, there were miscalculations on the required electricity needs.

The pavilion was reopened in September last year following a two-year restoration period.

Labor Councillor Michelle Gray submitted a motion in a recent Waverley council meeting to expand the community activities held at the site. There was no mention, however, of the electricity shortfall.

Gray said many Bondi residents at a precinct meeting had suggested the idea to her.

“The pavilion belongs to the whole community… and increasing its utility for the community should be council’s priority,” she acknowledged in the meeting.

“The inner courtyard lends itself well as a place for people to gather, celebrate and enjoy the exciting sporting events on a big screen.”

Gray specified that the council should provide these events free of charge to “attract a different demographic of our community”.

The aim, she added, was to make the courtyard area “alive”. The motion passed unanimously.

Councillor Kanak forwarded an accepted amendment to consult all Waverley precinct committees on the motion.

City Hub reached out to Waverley Council for comment on the retail pop-up.

Correction: An earlier version of this article was titled ‘Pop-up shop at Bondi Pavilion taken down after community complaints’, which has been now been updated.