An American themed cafe-bar has shut down just one month after its long-awaited opening amid a feud between its business partners over ‘skimpy’ uniforms.
Roberta Aitchison and John Sankey spent a year developing Meter Maid Bar in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, but have recently gone their separate ways.
Mr Sankey argued staff wearing revealing bathing-suit style uniforms made serving in a family-friendly environment an uncomfortable experience for everyone involved, Gold Coast Bulletin reported.
Roberta Aitchison and John Sankey (pictured with staff) spent a year developing Meter Maid Bar in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, but have recently gone their separate ways
Mr Sankey argued staff wearing revealing bathing-suit style uniforms made serving in a family-friendly environment an uncomfortable experience (Meter Maid pictured)
‘The uniforms was a point of contention. There was quite a lot of feedback from people saying they felt uncomfortable with children and families. So were a couple of the girls on staff — they felt uncomfortable serving families and children with basically their bikinis up their a***,’ Mr Sankey said.
Ms Aitchison’s next goal was to get hold of a licence that would allow the business to trade until 1am without selling food, rather than cutting off the bar an hour after the kitchen closed, which was normally 9.30pm.
‘It needs to be relaunched with the right licence. We don’t want to be a nightclub. We just need a later licence so we are able to make money later on in the evening,’ she said.
But her former business partner, who said he would remain a shareholder, believed the night scene in Surfers Paradise would not have room for the business Ms Aitchison had in mind.
Ms Aitchison’s (pictured) next goal was to get hold of a licence that would allow the business to trade until 1am without selling food
Mr Sankey (pictured) said he would remain a shareholder, believed the night scene in Surfers Paradise would not have room for the business Ms Aitchison had in mind
‘There is no way I want to compete with businesses of that late-night nature and that is where it is shifting now. I have no interest in that. There is no room for it in Surfers, all those bases are covered. I also believe it’ll kill the Meter Maids brand — that’s my opinion,’ Mr Sankey said.
The former Penthouse cover girl wasn’t concerned about the future of her business or brand’s reputation and said she had no issue with her staff’s uniform.
She claimed Mr Sankey had all but ‘walked away’ from the business, but conceded it would be favourable for her if he stayed on as a shareholder.
The businesswoman claimed Mr Sankey had all but ‘walked away’ from the business, but conceded it would be favourable for her if he stayed on as a shareholder
The duo met after Mr Sankey, a heavy metal drummer, returned to the Gold Coast to take some time out, and was introduced to Ms Aitchison through a mutual friend.
Ms Aitchison was an original Meter Maid who would to feed parking meters around Surfers Paradise to save people from being fined.
She later trademarked the concept, which still operates 50 years on, and developed the brand into her business.
Ms Aitchison was an original Meter Maid who would to feed parking meters around Surfers Paradise to save people from being fined (current-day maids pictured)