Brisbane takes its turn on the world stage

Brisbane takes its turn on the world stage
By admin


If the beer's cold and the music's pumping, then they'll come.

It's a mantra staff at one iconic Brisbane pub hope will hold true over the Brisbane G20 weekend.

With many residents using a public holiday on Friday November 14 to take a long weekend away – and tourism bodies actively promoting holidays outside Brisbane – Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has pleaded for people to put up with disruptions or the threat of violent protests and come into the city.

"We don't want a ghost town. It can't be," Mr Quirk said.

In the lead up to the world leaders summit, and amid Australia's largest peacetime security operation, civic leaders have warned about public access restrictions, vehicle checkpoints and transport delays in the city.

But as the event draws closer, they've changed their tack, insisting Brisbane will be "open for business" and pleading with people to come into the city so the 4000 visiting delegates and 3000 international media aren't confronted with a ghost town.

It's a mixed message that has left residents and visitors unsure whether they should venture in, and businesses uncertain of whether to expect them.

Some smaller businesses, such as Chocolateria San Churro at South Bank, won't open at all, choosing instead to carry out renovations.

But others, like the iconic Plough Inn in the heart of the G20 declared zone, are putting their faith in curious residents being drawn to G20 cultural events.

"We're not too sure as to what's going to happen. But if a lot of other places are closed, I think that might help us out too," the pub's assistant manager Mark Farrell says.

Others have gone all out and embraced the G20 with typical Queensland humour.

The Brisbane fast-food joint Burger Urge has created the Big Bad Vlad chicken burger in honour of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

High-end retailers are being coy about their own plans, presumably to avoid drawing the attention of protesters who have typically targeted luxury global brands in the past. Some, like Louis Vuitton, say they'll operate with reduced hours over the weekend.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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