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West End Health Food Store Introduces Shopping Baskets That Signal If You Want Help

A detail spotted inside a West End health food store has attracted attention on social media, with commenters praising the idea and calling for similar systems to be introduced more broadly.

Read: Süreyya Kahve Is Coming to West End, and It’s Redefining What a Cafe Can Be

WholeLife Pharmacy & Healthfoods, a pharmacy and health food chain, has introduced colour-coded shopping baskets that allow customers to indicate whether they want assistance from staff. Two baskets are available at the entrance: a grey one labelled “I am happy to shop on my own” and a green one reading “I would like assistance.”

health food store — Photo credit: Gogole Maps/M S

The system was shared to Reddit by a user who photographed the baskets side by side.

“I just think it’s neat,” the original poster wrote. “My Millennial brain heaved a sigh of relief when I walked in to a store this week and saw these — I now wish every single store had this system.”

What Shoppers Are Saying

Commenters responded to the post with support for the system, with several noting it addresses uncertainty, for both customers and staff, when assistance is wanted and when it isn’t.

Some commenters noted the system could make it easier for retail workers to approach customers with confidence, removing the guesswork around who wants help and who doesn’t.

One Reddit commenter wrote: “It is a good idea for some people. Just because some people are fine navigating a store it doesn’t mean everybody is. My local store recently changed everything around and hoped we didn’t notice some products being deleted. It’s a pain to shop there now. Could have done with these baskets.”

One Reddit commenter pointed to the difficulty of navigating stores after layout changes as an example of why a system like this could be useful. The basket system allows customers to signal their preference without having to approach a staff member directly.

Read: Function Well Plans Large Wellness Hub For West End

Will Other Retailers Follow Suit?

Several commenters said they hoped larger retailers would introduce a similar system. No announcements from major retailers have been made at the time of publication.

WholeLife Pharmacy & Healthfoods is a Queensland-based pharmacy and health food chain with stores across Brisbane.

Published 14-April-2026

Upstate Has Opened Its First Brisbane Studio in West End

Upstate

Upstate, the Melbourne-born reformer pilates and hot yoga brand that has built a devoted following across Victoria and expanded into Queensland and New South Wales over the past year, has opened its first Brisbane studio at 391 Montague Road in West End.

The studio marks another significant step in one of Australian fitness’s more compelling growth stories. Upstate launched in Victoria and spent more than a decade becoming a genuine institution, before opening its first interstate location at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast in July 2025, then landing in Sydney’s Five Dock in September 2025. West End now brings the brand to Brisbane proper, and according to co-founder and co-CEO Gail Asbell, the neighbourhood was the obvious choice.

“Brisbane has such an incredible energy and community spirit, and West End in particular has a character that feels perfectly aligned with Upstate,” Asbell said. “It’s creative, vibrant and social — exactly the kind of neighbourhood where people want to move, connect and feel good.”

What the Studio Actually Looks Like

True to Upstate’s identity, the West End studio is not subtle. Bold and neon interiors in the brand’s signature sunshine yellow run throughout, designed specifically to lift mood on arrival before a single class has begun. Studios are designed to boost members’ mood and motivation, with bright interiors decked in positive hues and energising neon as defining features of every Upstate location.

Upstate's sttudio — Photo Credit: Upstate

The space at Studio 7 on Montague Road splits across two workout rooms. The first is a 24-bed reformer studio for the pilates crowd, and the second is a 35-person hot mat studio for those who prefer a sweatier experience. Three unisex toilets and showers mean members can freshen up and flow straight back into their day without interruption.

The class timetable spans reformer pilates, hot mat pilates, hot power yoga, yin and sound baths, giving members plenty of range depending on whether they want to push hard or wind down.

The Brand Behind the Neon

Upstate was founded by Gail Asbell and her sister Charelle Cuolahan, and started as 100 per cent yoga before evolving over the years to add hot mat pilates, reformer pilates and boxing as the brand grew. As a female-led powerhouse, Upstate prioritises community and real career paths for women over growth for growth’s sake.

The co-founder has been deliberate about keeping classes approachable, describing the ideal room as “full of diversity, from people doing their first classes ever, to someone who’s gone for a long time.” That philosophy carries through to West End, where the studio welcomes everyone from complete beginners to seasoned practitioners.

With locations now spanning Victoria, the Gold Coast and Sydney alongside the new Brisbane opening, Upstate has moved from a Melbourne institution to a genuine national presence in the space of less than twelve months.

Getting Started at Upstate West End

A launch offer gives new members 14 days of unlimited access for $29, covering reformer, hot mat and hot yoga classes. Upstate West End is at Studio 7, 391 Montague Road, West End. Bookings and membership are available here.

Published 13-April-2026

West End Diners Hit In Masked Handbag Snatch At Browning Street Restaurant

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

Masked offenders allegedly stole handbags from elderly diners during an evening gathering at a West End restaurant, with police investigating whether the incident is linked to other nearby activity.

A Fast-Moving Theft In West End

The alleged theft happened at Little Greek Taverna on Browning Street, where an elderly book club group had gathered for dinner. Police believe two masked offenders approached the restaurant at about 8.25 p.m. on Friday night and stole three bags from diners in a brief incident that left the group distressed. The items taken reportedly included two handbags and a wine bag.

West End Crime — Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

The group was understood to include six women meeting for their regular gathering when the offenders moved in quickly and then left the area. The incident centred on diners at the restaurant, turning an ordinary social catch-up into a sudden and confronting encounter. A second business was also reportedly targeted during the same sequence of events.

Police Examine Possible Links To Nearby Incidents

The offenders fled in a vehicle believed to be a grey Volvo station wagon, and investigators are continuing to examine whether the West End incident is connected to other activity on Vulture Street. The latest alleged theft also comes amid previously reported concerns about anti-social behaviour along the nearby Boundary Street retail strip, adding further local context to the investigation.

Brisbane Restaurant Theft — Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

Police are calling for anyone with relevant CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward as inquiries continue. The focus remains on identifying the offenders and determining whether the alleged West End restaurant theft forms part of a broader pattern of offending in the area.

Published 31-Mar-2026

Brisbane Group to Make Trans History With Record-Breaking Flag Unfurling at Davies Park

West End is set to make trans history on March 31. Davies Park on Montague Road will host the unfurling of what is believed to be the world’s largest trans pride flag, just in time for the International Transgender Day of Visibility.

Read: A Year of Pride and Performance at West End Bar Come to Daddy

The flag, created by local advocacy group Trans Justice Meanjin, measures a staggering 20 by 40 metres, totalling 800 square metres of pink, white, and blue fabric.

The project has been months in the making. After running a fundraising campaign to cover the cost of materials, the group held a series of community sewing sessions throughout March, inviting locals to contribute to the creation. The finished product was officially measured last Friday, confirming its dimensions. With the sewing machines now packed away, Trans Justice Meanjin are ready to share it with the world.

Photo credit: Facebook/Trans Justice Meanjin

Group member Jodie Hall said the flag was intended as a physical symbol of trans love, joy, defiance and resistance. She said the group’s intention was to make the trans community impossible to ignore on Trans Day of Visibility, and that by creating the world’s largest trans flag, they aimed to make trans history.

The event is free and open to everyone. The unfurling is scheduled for 3pm at Davies Park, located at 277 Montague Road, West End. Following the main event, local trans artists Worm Girlz and Clover Love will perform a free outdoor concert in the park.

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A post shared by Trans Justice Meanjin (@transjusticemeanjin)

Organisers have said the project is intended as both a celebration of the local trans community and a visible show of solidarity during a challenging time for trans and gender diverse people. Last year, members of Brisbane’s LGBTQIA+ community flew a trans flag from the city’s Victoria Bridge at the start of Trans Awareness Week in November, in a show of solidarity for trans and gender diverse young people affected by the Queensland government’s puberty blocker ban.

Read: Three Residential Towers Proposed for West End Site Near Davies Park

Trans Day of Visibility, held annually on March 31, has been observed internationally since 2009. Unlike the Trans Day of Remembrance in November, which is a day of mourning, TDOV is a day dedicated to recognising and celebrating the lives and achievements of trans, non-binary and gender diverse people around the world. Events are being held across Australia and globally to mark the occasion this year.

If you are free on March 31, head down to Davies Park and be part of the occasion. For more information on Trans Justice Meanjin and their work, visit their website.

Published 30-March-2026

Inner City Brisbane Avoids Shortages but Faces Soaring Petrol Prices

Photo Credit: Wikimedia/Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International

Brisbane inner city drivers are paying close to $2.50 a litre for petrol while fuel remains available across most suburbs, even as shortages spread across parts of Queensland and other states.

Prices Climb Across Inner Brisbane

Across Fortitude Valley, New Farm, Newstead and surrounding inner-city suburbs, petrol prices are now sitting between about 239 and 249 cents per litre, with diesel pushing close to or above 290 cents. The variation between nearby stations can be as much as 10 cents, even within a short drive.

Kangaroo Point and the inner south, including South Bank and West End, are showing similar trends, with petrol mostly around the mid-240s and diesel nearing the $3 mark. These prices reflect a sharp rise over the past week, with national averages also climbing significantly.

Figures from industry data show the average petrol price across Australia rose to about 238 cents per litre, while diesel jumped to more than 282 cents. That has added roughly $9 to $18 to a standard 50-litre fill, placing extra strain on households and small businesses.

Area	U91 Range	Diesel Range	Notes (as of 23 March)
Fortitude Valley	239–249	292–296	widest variation
New Farm / Newstead	238–249	295–299	some cheapest + some expensive
Kangaroo Point	~239	289–292	most stable
South Bank / West End	239–245	290–298	typical inner-south

Supply Pressure Felt, But CBD Holding

Despite rising costs, there is no widespread fuel outages in Brisbane’s inner city. Most stations across the CBD and nearby suburbs continue to operate, though some may temporarily run low on certain fuel types.

National figures show 166 service stations across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria have run out of fuel, including dozens in Queensland alone. However, these shortages are spread unevenly and are more common in regional areas than in major city centres.

The supply issue is largely driven by a surge in demand, with more drivers filling up earlier or more often than usual. This has created pressure on distribution networks, even though overall fuel supply into Australia remains steady for now.

*Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International*

Push for Public Transport as Costs Rise

As fuel prices climb, city leaders are encouraging residents to leave their cars at home where possible and use public transport instead. Across South East Queensland, fares have been set at an affordable 50 cents, making buses, trains and ferries a cheaper option for daily travel.

The low fare is designed to ease cost pressures on households while also reducing demand for fuel. With more commuters onto public transport, there is also hope it will help ensure supply remains available for essential industries such as farming and freight, which rely heavily on diesel.

Global Tensions Driving Local Costs

The sharp rise in prices has been linked to global supply concerns following conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted key oil shipping routes. About 20 per cent of the world’s oil passes through the affected area, and ongoing instability is pushing wholesale prices higher.

Officials have indicated that while supply is still flowing, prolonged disruption could continue to push prices up, with the possibility of petrol reaching $4 per litre if conditions worsen.

Yet residents are already feeling the impact. Higher fuel costs are affecting daily commutes, small business operations and trade work, where diesel use is high. Even without widespread shortages in the inner city, the rising cost of fuel is changing how and when people travel.

CHECK FUEL PRICES IN YOUR AREA

The Real Cost of Convenience: Why West End Drivers Want Tolls Scrapped

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Thousands of daily motorists are calling for the removal of tolls on the Go Between Bridge as rising travel costs create a significant financial barrier for families moving between the city’s north and the residential hub of West End.

Read: West End Brewpub Landscape Shifts as Catchment Brewing Co Departs Boundary Street

The Cost of a Shorter Commute

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

While the Go Between Bridge provides a direct path from Coronation Drive to the streets of West End and South Brisbane, the price of this convenience is under fire. Motorists across the city are expressing their frustration through a formal petition to the State of Queensland. This movement follows a series of price hikes that have seen the cost of using the city’s tunnels and bridges climb higher.

On 1 January, tolls on the Airport Link increased by 33 cents to a total of $7.16. many people feel that these charges are becoming a heavy burden, especially since the bridge serves as a local link rather than a major highway into the central business district.

Traffic Woes and Infrastructure Debts

Photo Credit: Google Maps

The push to drop these fees comes as new data shows Brisbane drivers are spending more time than ever stuck in traffic. During 2024, the average commuter lost 84 hours to road congestion, which was a 14 per cent increase from the year before. While some argue that making the bridges free would help clear local streets, others suggest that the situation is more complex.

Public policy experts from the RACQ stated that these tolls are used to pay back the massive debts from building the roads. They suggested that without this private funding, there would be less money available for Queensland to build new transport projects in the future.

Read: Reality Check at Red Hill: 5 Surprising Truths from the Broncos’ Tough Round 1 Start

Searching for a Fairer Path

The debate has also touched on other famous landmarks, including the ageing Story Bridge. There were discussions in 2025 about whether a new toll there could fund much-needed repairs, potentially raising more than $205 million a year if set at the same rate as the Gateway bridges. However, local leaders have previously questioned why certain routes, like the one leading to West End, carry a fee when they do not even take drivers into the heart of the city.

For now, the State of Queensland is following its standard procedures to review the public petition, which has already gained 1,509 signatures, while the community continues to ask for a broader look at how South East Queensland funds its major roads.

Published Date 11-March-2026

West End Brewpub Landscape Shifts as Catchment Brewing Co Departs Boundary Street

Photo Credit: Catchment Brewing Co/ Instagram

The iconic West End craft beer scene has lost a major fixture following the sudden permanent departure of Catchment Brewing Co from its long-term home.

Read: Soda Factory West End Seeks Mall Upgrade on Mollison Street

A Quiet Exit for a Local Favourite

Photo Credit: Catchment Brewing Co/ Instagram

The shutters came down on the Boundary Street venue in early 2026, marking the end of an 11-year run for the popular brewpub. While the windows are currently covered in dust, the interior of the building remains fully equipped with its original beer taps and decorative lighting, left in a state that would allow a new operator to move in.

The decision to leave was described by company representatives as a mutual agreement between the business and the property owners, though they acknowledged that the high costs of running the large space had become a significant financial burden.

Economic Pressures Hitting the Taps

Photo Credit: Catchment Brewing Co/ Instagram

The closure highlights a difficult period for the independent brewing industry across Australia. Over the past two years, more than a dozen highly-regarded breweries have been forced to stop trading due to a “perfect storm” of rising expenses. For Catchment, the struggle involved more than just local competition.

The rising cost of ingredients, increased electricity bills, and higher rents have made it harder to stay profitable. Additionally, federal alcohol taxes that increase alongside inflation have squeezed margins further, while major national retailers have introduced their own budget-friendly craft beer brands to compete with independent labels.

A Pattern of Change in the Suburb

Photo Credit: Catchment Brewing Co/ Instagram

This departure is not an isolated event for the local community, as West End has seen several high-profile venues struggle recently. The neighborhood said goodbye to the famous music venue The Bearded Lady in May 2025, and other major craft beer names like Newstead Brewing Co and Stone & Wood’s Fortitude Valley site also closed their doors in March and August of the previous year.

These shifts reflect a changing hospitality environment where even established brands are finding it difficult to balance community expectations with the high price of doing business in a popular inner-city suburb.

Read: Süreyya Kahve Is Coming to West End, and It’s Redefining What a Cafe Can Be

The Future of the Brand

Despite leaving its original flagship location, the company behind the beer is not disappearing from the Brisbane market. The business expanded its reach in 2022 by taking over Fortitude Valley Brewing Co and its associated brands, followed by a move to save Ballistic Beer Co from closing in early 2023.

Management has indicated that they intend to continue their involvement with the Brisbane brewing community and expect to share new plans for the brand’s next steps later this year. For now, the focus remains on their other existing venues and partnerships outside of the West End strip.

Published Date 04-March-2026

Süreyya Kahve Is Coming to West End, and It’s Redefining What a Cafe Can Be

West End locals looking for a cafe that takes nutrition as seriously as its coffee are about to have a new option on Mollison Street. Süreyya Kahve is preparing to open its doors in late April inside Function Well’s soon-to-open luxury wellness hub, and it’s shaping up to be one of the more interesting additions to the suburb’s already well-loved cafe scene.

Read: Soda Factory West End Seeks Mall Upgrade on Mollison Street

The concept comes from husband-and-wife duo Dr Oz Dedehayir and Kristy Morris, the founders of KAILO Group, which has built a reputation as one of Australia’s leading medispa and nutrition brands. For the pair, Süreyya Kahve isn’t a side project — it’s a natural extension of everything they’ve been building in the health and wellness space, this time expressed through food, coffee, and community.

Photo credit: Instagram/Süreyya Kahve

At the heart of it is Dr Oz’s Turkish heritage. The cafe’s name, its identity, and its philosophy are all rooted in that cultural thread, with the team describing the concept as one that looks to redefine cafe culture with an offering centred around intelligent nutrition.

What’s on the menu?

The team is keeping most of the details under wraps for now, but what has been confirmed points to something more considered than the average cafe offering. Süreyya Kahve will serve high-quality, nutrient-dense meals including healthy salads and sandwiches, alongside smoothies infused with KAILO Nutrition supplements. On the coffee side, the venue will be pouring specialty coffee from ST ALi.

The phrase the team keeps returning to is intelligent nutrition, with food and drink designed to do something beyond just tasting good. Given that KAILO Group’s background spans both medispa treatments and nutritional products, there’s genuine expertise sitting behind that promise rather than just marketing language.

West End has long attracted residents who care about where their food comes from, who made it, and what it’s doing for them. The neighbourhood’s cafe culture has leaned independent and values-driven, with locals quick to support businesses that feel like they genuinely belong to the community.

Placing Süreyya Kahve on the ground floor of Function Well’s new luxury wellness hub on Mollison Street reinforces that fit, bringing together fitness, health, and considered eating under one roof.

Read: Brisbane Comedy Cellar Opens Beneath Raven Hotel in West End

What’s next

The Süreyya Kahve team has indicated that more details, including a fuller picture of the menu and the space itself, will be revealed in the coming weeks ahead of the late April opening. It’s early days, but for a suburb that already takes its food and wellbeing seriously, this one is worth keeping a close eye on.

Published 27-February-2026

Soda Factory West End Seeks Mall Upgrade on Mollison Street

A development application has been lodged seeking approval for refurbishment works to the Mollison Street mall entry of The Soda Factory West End. The proposal seeks approval for the demolition, upgrade, and extension of centre activities within the established district centre.

Read: How Boundary St Building Evolved From Tristram Soft Drink Factory To West End Shopping Centre

The subject site is located at 79 Boundary Street and covers a total area of approximately 10,030 square metres. The site is zoned DC1 District Centre under the South Brisbane Riverside Neighbourhood Plan.

According to planning documents prepared by Sinclair Planning, the mall is located in a separate building annexed to the Tristram’s Soft Drink Factory building — a Local Heritage Place — with an internal interface at the northern end of the mall. No works are proposed to the heritage-listed structure.

Proposed Refurbishment Works

Artist’s impression of refurbishment works at Soda Factory West End (Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online – A006923662)

The proposed refurbishment works include both external and internal modifications, as detailed in the planning documents.

On the exterior, works include partial demolition and upgrade to the Mollison Street façade, with a focus on replacing the existing awning over the entry stairs and accessibility lift, and enhancing overall façade finishes. The existing pedestrian ramp at the entry is proposed to be replaced with an accessibility lift, with the layout of the entry stairs also to be reconfigured.

Landscape planters are proposed along the Mollison Street building elevation, with the planning documents stating the intent is to positively contribute to the public domain and accentuate the mall entry point. Existing pedestrian seating will be retained and bicycle parking facilities are also to be retained.

Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online – A006923662

Internally, modifications to existing tenancies are proposed to regularise shopfronts to the mall and to reduce the floor area of the existing mall kiosk. These internal changes result in the creation of new gross floor area, with the refurbishment yielding a net increase in tenancy GFA of approximately 37 square metres. Glazed automatic doors are also proposed near the northern end of the mall to maintain an air-conditioned internal environment. Modifications to the levels of the mall footway are proposed to remove the existing sloping gradient.

No changes are proposed to the centre’s current hours of operation, site access and servicing arrangements, refuse storage and collection, or ancillary on-site car parking. The Mollison Street footpath and road reserve will also remain unchanged.

Staged Delivery

Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online – A006923662

The works are proposed to be delivered in stages. The initial stage involves the refurbishment of the western side of the Mollison Street mall, allowing continued public access and tenant operation during construction. The succeeding stage will address the eastern side of the mall following completion of the initial works.

Read: See The Stunning Mural At Soda Factory In West End

The application is listed under application reference A006923662. The full application documents are publicly available via the Brisbane development portal at developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au.

Published 23-February-2026

West End Girl Tour Brings Lily Allen Back To Australia In 2026

Photo Credit: Lily Allen/Instagram

Lily Allen will return to Australia and New Zealand in 2026 with an arena tour focused on live performances of her album West End Girl, marking her first regional tour since 2019.

Read: West End Hosts BrisAsia Festival Performances And Exhibitions

Event Details Announced

In Brisbane, the concert will take place at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Friday 23 October 2026, with a scheduled 7:00 p.m. start time.

The tour is scheduled to begin in Auckland on 21 October before moving to Australia for shows in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. The final performance is set for 1 November at RAC Arena in Perth. All announced dates are licensed all-ages events.General public tickets for all dates are due to go on sale at 1 p.m. local time on Monday 9 February 2026.

For the Brisbane show, presales begin on Wednesday 4 February, including Telstra, artist and Frontier Touring member access, with ticket limits applying across presale and public allocations. Venue conditions for Brisbane include restrictions on bag size and a ban on backpacks.

Photo Credit: Lily Allen/Instagram

buy tickets

Artist Background

Lily Allen is an English singer-songwriter who emerged in the mid-2000s and gained international recognition with her debut album Alright, Still in 2006. She followed with It’s Not Me, It’s You in 2009, which topped charts in several countries, including Australia, and produced singles that became long-standing staples of her live performances.

After later releases Sheezus (2014) and No Shame (2018), Allen stepped back from extensive touring. West End Girl, released in 2025, marked her return with her first studio album in seven years. The album received renewed attention in Australia after two tracks appeared in triple j’s 2025 Hottest 100 countdown, with “West End Girl” placing at No. 88 and “Pussy Palace” at No. 38.

Photo Credit: Lily Allen/Instagram

What The Tour Will Feature

The 2026 shows are billed as Lily Allen Performs West End Girl. Each concert will present the album in full, played in track order. Event information also indicates that additional songs from across Allen’s earlier catalogue are expected to feature in the setlists.

The tour has been described in multiple announcements as Allen’s largest headline run in Australia and New Zealand to date.

Photo Credit: Lily Allen/Instagram

Looking Ahead

Read: West End Mechanic Takes Legal Action After Vehicle Abandoned for Two Years

The West End Girl tour places Lily Allen back on Australian and New Zealand stages after several years away from the region, linking her 2025 album release with a full-scale arena run. Further ticketing and venue information is available through official tour and venue channels.

Published 3-Feb-2026

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