REVEALED: When Toowoomba CBD rooftop venue will re-open

THE new general manager of George Banks has promised plenty of changes will be coming to the rooftop venue when it re-opens next week.

George Banks owner Phil Coorey. Picture: Tom Gillespie

THE new general manager of George Banks has promised plenty of changes will be coming to the rooftop venue when it re-opens next week.

Owner Phil Coorey has announced former Easterfest coordinator and events manager Dave Schenk will now run the bistro.

The venue, which closed in March amid the COVID-19 pandemic, will open its doors again on Friday September 4.

Mr Schenk said patrons would be treated to a very different experience and menu this time around, in response to feedback from customers that it was too fancy.

"There are people who didn't love their George Banks (because it was too upmarket) - it also had a bit of an identity crisis too," he said.

"Our biggest focus will be on it being more relaxed and fun and that will be reflected in the menu, especially with the price and style.

"It's going to be a bistro rather than a bar or restaurant.

"In terms of dress code, just some pants and shoes will be fine - if a tradie wants to rock up, we'd love to have them.

"I never want to hear someone say they didn't want to come to George Banks because it was too fancy."

New George Banks GM Dave Schenk (right) with Phil Coorey (left) and Brad Fitzgibbons (centre). Picture: Bev Lacey

Mr Schenk said the new staff would be headed by former Spotted Cow chef Mark Aboud, who would focus on classic pub food rather than fine dining.

Waiters will also be dressing differently than during the previous iteration, as part of the venue's casualisation.

"It's a mostly new team, I think we only have one previous staff member (so) it's really fresh," Mr Schenk said.

Mark Aboud is our new head chef and in keeping with our plan to (open it up), he's got a focus on doing a great job on things like a great steak and great chicken wings.

"One of the things we're doing is our staff uniform is we're telling them to show up in their favourite pop culture t-shirts and then we'll throw a George Banks apron around them."

Mr Coorey said the venue needed a change of approach to meet the demands of the general public.

"When we chose the name 'George Banks' we loved that it tied to the building's heritage as a bank but also to the father character in Mary Poppins, which inspired the style of the venue including the distinctive umbrella chandelier over the bar," he said.

"Mary Poppins is certainly a bit fancy but is also a lot of fun and by the end of the movie Mary Poppins has helped the very serious George Banks discover his fun side; the new George Banks is our Mary Poppins moment."

Following the opening, the new George Banks will be open Thursdays to Sundays for both lunch dinner, with extended trading hours on the weekends.

Bookings are essential due to reduced capacity as part of the COVID-19 restrictions.

Originally published as REVEALED: When Toowoomba CBD rooftop venue will re-open