Ipswich city centre set to become home to Australia’s premier ‘eatertainery’ venue

In a Queensland first, Colliers together with the Nicholas Street Precinct Team have secured an exciting tenant for the Ipswich Nicholas Street Precinct, with ‘General Public’ securing almost 3,000sqm of entertainment space in the precinct, joining anchor tenant Hoyts Cinema and the iconic Hotel Commonwealth.

Colliers retail leasing agents Ishbel Jones, Chloe Lonergan, and Jack Thynne struck the deal for General Public with this being their first opening outside of Victoria, showing the attraction of Nicholas Street as a premier entertainment and retail precinct.

Colliers Queensland Retail Leasing Manager, Ishbel Jones said this brand-new flagship eatertainery will be home to state-of-the-art arcade games, a 14-lane bowling alley, golf simulators, electronic darts, pool tables, delicious food and fully licenced drink offerings.

“As their fourth opening Australia-wide, General Public will be a one stop shop entertainment venue from the team behind Tunzafun,” Ishbel Jones said.

“We’re witnessing a shift in the entertainment landscape, with a growing inclination towards physical activity. The inclusion of golf simulators is poised to draw a fresh wave of patrons to the precinct.

“The advent of General Public, expected to open later in 2024, will not only bolster the existing retail ecosystem but also entice a surge of new businesses to the precinct,” she affirmed.

General Public Chief Executive Officer and founder Harry Kourbeis said the company was excited to branch out from its southern base with a site in Ipswich.

“This will be a one-of-a-kind entertainment and eating option for Ipswich,” Mr. Kourbeis said.

“We’re excited to be opening in the Nicholas Street Precinct. The region’s strong economic growth combined with the location, and the other businesses already in place, were all we needed to make the decision to expand from our Victorian base.”

Colliers Queensland Retail Leasing Senior Executive, Chloe Lonergan said as the largest redevelopment project in Ipswich, the Nicholas Street Precinct will become a leading lifestyle, leisure, entertainment and cultural destination and the new city heart of a revitalised Ipswich.

“With the opening of General Public we predict a significant uplift in foot traffic to the Ipswich City Centre from locals and tourists alike, making the Nicholas Street precinct a unique entertainment destination,” Chloe Lonergan said.

Colliers Queensland Retail Leasing Executive Jack Thynne said General Public already has sites in Dingley, Frankston and Corio in Victoria with this set to be their first Queensland opening.

“Choosing Ipswich for their first Queensland venue shows the confidence in the rapidly growing Nicholas Street Precinct as the city’s leading entertainment and cultural destination.

“There is strong interest in the precinct due to the projected economic growth of the region, the nature of the offering, outdoor space and proximity to public transport, benefitting from connectivity to major train and bus networks,” Jack Thynne added.

General Public will join nationally recognised brands including Hoyts, Gelatissimo, Zambrero, Stellarossa, Aushotels and Terry White Chemmart who have already secured space in the Nicholas Street Precinct.