Mr & Mrs Crepe

Mr & Mrs Crepe A unique Creperie in Canberra and proudly serves Canberra-roasted coffee

Dear crepe lovers, Thank you for being so supportive during all these years. We really appreciate it. Unfortunately, aft...
17/09/2026

Dear crepe lovers,

Thank you for being so supportive during all these years. We really appreciate it. Unfortunately, after much thought and consideration, we decided to close the shop for good.

The main reason is the excessive and abusive rent the shopping centre wants us to pay, with no support from them. We had a lease for $109,000 per year (exc. GST), and the Westfield Belconnen Leasing Team (Matt Gum) increased it by 17% ($127,500). When we asked him the reason for that increase, he couldn't explain it. Rent increases by around 6.5% every year.

We have raised this concern with the Leasing Team (Mitch Leslie, Christopher Chilvers, and Michelle Johns) since October 2025, without success. None of them could reasonably explain how they calculated the rent. The only thing they said was that if we left, they could easily bring in someone else willing to pay the same or more rent than us.

We showed them a comparison between rent for businesses outside the shopping centre and ours. We were paying more than 30% of our revenue, while outside we could pay up to 7%, depending on the location. One of the leasing team suggested buying one of those cafés instead.

In every meeting with the leasing team and the Centre Management, we brought information on sales over the years, compared with current foot traffic. We raised this with the Centre Manager and asked him to share the foot traffic data around our kiosk. He only gave us row numbers. We informed them that visitor numbers to the shopping centre were decreasing, but they didn't take it into account. However, we spoke with other owners, and they agreed the mall wasn't what it used to be.

After months of meetings, we sought legal advice, and they recommended stopping rent payments to cover the bank guarantee and waiting until the shopping centre sent the 14 days' notice.

We also spoke with customers and suppliers, and they all agreed the shopping centre was greedy; some even called them "vampires" because they absorbed your money and energy.

We are sad this happened to our business, and we hope to see our regulars again soon.

Please take a look at the documents we want to share with everyone, and please share them with anyone who wants to buy or set up a business in the Belconnen Shopping Centre.

1. Old lease (25 sqm Kiosk)
2. New Lease (25 sqm Kiosk)
3. Another café lease to compare with us (40sqm kiosk)
4. September 2026 rent
5. September 2026 storeroom rent
6. Notice to recommence Trade
7. Foot traffic data emailed from the Shopping Centre Management

11/07/2026

Official Statement Regarding Recent Post

We are aware of a Facebook post describing an incident involving one of our staff members at Mr and Mrs Crepe in Westfield Belconnen. We understand the concern this has caused and want to address it clearly.

We take all allegations of inappropriate behaviour very seriously. We have already contacted Westfield management, requested CCTV footage, and reviewed the security report from that day. We have also spoken with the staff member involved, and his account of the incident differs significantly from what was shared online. As always, we are committed to thoroughly and fairly reviewing both sides.

At this time, the customer has not reached out to us through any of our official channels. We encourage him to contact us or speak with Westfield Concierge so this matter can be properly discussed with centre management and, if necessary, the police.

We kindly ask the community not to make judgments or call for boycotts until the investigation is complete. Our priority is ensuring a safe, respectful environment for all customers and staff.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Mr and Mrs Crepe Management

Due to the kitchen being closed on Fridays until further notice, we are thrilled to offer FREE coffee on that day instea...
28/01/2026

Due to the kitchen being closed on Fridays until further notice, we are thrilled to offer FREE coffee on that day instead.

Just come with a great attitude and a big smile, and the coffee will be yours.

Address

LEVEL 3, Westfield Belconnen
Belconnen, ACT
2617

Website

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