Laurent Boillon, founder of the $800 million Laurent Bakery empire, plans to close his central business district (CBD) store in Melbourne and reduce his number of locations from 17 to 12. Boillon cited concerns over the "level of violence and drugs" in the city centre, which he believes is detrimental to Melbourne's vitality.
"I can't be bothered, it's too hard," Boillon told the Herald Sun, expressing frustration with the challenges of operating in the CBD. He also indicated that the tax system and high rents contributed to his decision, prompting a shift in focus to suburban shopping centers.
Despite Boillon's criticisms, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has previously stated that crime is not spiraling out of control, noting the state's extensive police force. Allan has attributed recent upticks in crime to organized criminal groups recruiting young people to commit offenses, describing these individuals as "disposable assets."
Official crime statistics from the Crime Statistics Agency show a slight decrease of just under two percent in overall crime in the 12 months leading up to March. Youth crime also saw a dip for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, adult crime rose by more than ten percent, with factors including breaches of bail, retail theft, and breaches of family violence orders contributing to this increase.
Boillon, who established his first bakery in 1993 and built it into a significant brand, also mentioned that high overheads influenced his decision. The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Committee for Melbourne have previously advocated for reforms, arguing that increasing compliance costs make it difficult for businesses to expand, hire staff, and remain competitive. Sally Curtain, Chief Executive of the Victorian Chamber, has stated that Victoria's business environment is discouraging investment and placing pressure on operators.
Concerns have also been raised about the potential impact of entrenched work-from-home rights on CBD activity, with critics suggesting it could affect small business workers and further reduce foot traffic in the city centre.