Historic Toowoomba hotel ramps up reopening

THE new owner of a historic Toowoomba pub that had been previously shut for months says he is ramping up service and staffing from next week.

Michael McDonald is ramping up the service at the Fiveways Hotel.

THE new owner of a historic Toowoomba pub that had been previously shut for months says he is ramping up service and staffing from next week.

Fiveways Hotel publican Michael McDonald, who announced he had bought the North Toowoomba venue back in May, said lunch and dinner service would resume from Monday.

Having already been open for a couple of months, Mr McDonald said he was pleased to see residents returning to their local pub despite the COVID-19 restrictions.

"A lot of Toowoomba locals who were drinking here before it was closed are happy to come back and meet the new guy," he said.

"When I see them again and again, I must be doing something right.

"We're also getting new patrons who live in the area.

"It's getting better now - I've put the signs out and things are starting to spread, (and) each Monday is beating the Monday before that.

"Adding that food service will be the next leg of the journey to improve business."

The Fiveways, which was built in the early 20th century, also features a bottle-shop that has been trading well.

But Mr McDonald said he hoped social distancing restrictions could be lifted soon to help support the hospitality sector better.

"Everyone can't wait to have the hotel industry back to normal," he said.

"We're hoping the restrictions will be lifted soon to help return business to normal."

The Fiveways Hotel will run non-stop food service from lunch until the end of dinner.

Due to social distancing requirements, only a certain number of people are allowed in the restaurant so bookings are essential.

For more information, call the Fiveways on 4639 3683.

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