Councillors have drawn battlelines over King George Square after a pop-up shop yesterday was described as a bridge too far. 

Labor Leader Jared Cassidy yesterday snapped McDonald’s selling its new ‘Australiano’ coffee blend in the public square.

He suggested under the LNP, the square is no longer “the people’s place” of Brisbane.

Another day, another big business setting up shop in King George Square. This time it’s Maccas.

Under the LNP this public space is rented out to the highest bidder. This is no longer “the People’s Place” of Brisbane. pic.twitter.com/qiMegDHPK1

— Cr Jared Cassidy (@CrJaredCassidy) June 28, 2022

Speaking with Spencer Howson, Mr Cassidy this morning doubled down on the criticism, describing the “commercialisation” of the square as going “too far”.

“This week we see Macca’s, we saw KFC recently, Mercedes Benz and Volvo have set up shop there, there was an insurance company a few weeks ago,” he said.

“There’s all these private companies that are renting out space in the people’s place for commercial gain.”

Press PLAY below to hear the Opposition Leader’s argument 

Deputy Mayor Krista Adams returned serve to Mr Cassidy, suggesting “we need to have a bit of a reality check here”.

“79 per cent of the events we have in King George Square are community events or civic events,” she told Spencer Howson.

“Sometimes there are commercial bookings like McCafé that was on the square the last couple of days but it’s all about having things to see and do in Brisbane.”

Press PLAY below to hear what bookings the Deputy Mayor says wouldn’t be allowed in King George Square 

There was a mixed reaction to the debate from 4BC listeners.

“It’s what we go into King George Square for,” listener Jo told Spencer.

“All the people, the things that go on in there, there’s always something to see, something to do, shops to go and buy a coffee in, or lunch…

“What does he want to do? Bring it back to the Stone Age?”

Press PLAY below to hear Jo’s call 

Image: Jared Cassidy / Twitter