Opening date for CBD pubs still unclear amid COVID-19

THE future of two of Toowoomba’s most famous pubs is still up in the air, as COVID-19 restrictions continue to plague the hospitality industry.

The Spotted Cow will go to auction on December 3.

THE future of two of Toowoomba's most famous pubs is still up in the air, as COVID-19 restrictions continue to plague the hospitality industry.

While some licenced venues have reopened in recent weeks to small numbers, the Spotted Cow on Ruthven St and the National Hotel on Russell St remain closed presently.

The Spotted Cow, which was nearly sold to a new buyer in March before the coronavirus outbreak started, has reportedly attracted several interested parties.

But Power Jeffrey and Co director Peter Power said nothing had been confirmed.

"There's definitely interest, but nothing confirmed at this stage," he said.

"There is a group who are expressing an interest in it, and they are doing investigations at this point.

"There's no commitment at all at this stage."

Venue owner Mick Coorey declined to comment on a reopening date, other than to say he would wait on what phase three of the Queensland Government's reopening road map would look like when it was announced on July 10.

The National Hotel has remained closed since its shut its doors in March, also a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Staff have reportedly been seeking other work.

The pub is owned by Grant Wheeler, who also runs the Garden Hotel in Dubbo, New South Wales.

Mr Wheeler said he was also waiting to see how further restrictions would lift on July 10, saying he was committed to reopening the pub.

"We are still reopening, we're just waiting for COVID restrictions to relax more and so we can get back into the swing of it," he said.

"We're just trying to see how many people we can allow inside (under phase three).

"Obviously the past three or four months has been hellacious for everyone.

"We want to get back into it, just got to be the right time."

The shutdown period has hit Toowoomba's night-life entertainment hard, with many relying on the Federal Government's JobKeeper program to remain viable after COVID-19.

Toowoomba's Safe Night Precinct president Brad Fitzgibbons told The Chronicle last month he was concerned about how some venues might fare financially.

"Venues still have ongoing overheads, like insurance and power bills," he said.

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