Why developer snapped up Junk and The Office

A PROMINENT Toowoomba developer has swooped on two thriving CBD businesses in a move set to shake up the city's dining scene.

OFFICE HOURS: David Brosnan and Ollie Carpenter from The Office look forward to a new beginning at the Duggan St bar. Picture: Nev Madsen

A PROMINENT Toowoomba developer has swooped on two thriving CBD businesses in a move set to shake up the city's dining scene.

Popular Duggan St bar The Office and Asian-fusion restaurant Junk at the bustling Walton Stores have been taken over by a new group keen to build on their runaway success, but with a few changes in the pipeline.

While the staff working in both eateries will remain, the group has brought in chef-by-trade Todd Farr, who has experience working in the U.K., Asia and across Australia to reimagine what both can offer the city's punters.

Documents obtained from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, however, reveal a well-known Toowoomba businessman is also behind the new entity - known as Junk Queensland Pty Ltd.

Barry O'Sullivan, son of the Toowoomba-based senator of the same name, is listed in documents filed with ASIC as the major shareholder of the company that recently took control of the popular Duggan St bar and the Junk restaurants in Toowoomba, Broadbeach, Southbank and Coorparoo.

Others are also involved in the company.

Mr O'Sullivan is the director of construction firm Newlands Group and will also serve as the director of Junk Queensland, while Todd Farr will operate as the general manager of the newly-formed group.

Mr O'Sullivan's Newlands previously held a 50 per cent share in Worldwide Hospitality Group, the in liquidation company who owned The Office and Junk before the Toowoomba developer took over the outlets last week.

Mr Farr noted the rave success of the two Toowoomba venues since opening, but flagged plans to alter the tastes of both Junk and The Office in the near future.

"There will probably be, in the coming weeks, a bit of change in direction with the menu (at The Office)," he said.

"There won't be a lot of immediate changes but we'll probably just lighten up the menu a little bit with local ingredients and local suppliers."

When asked what attracted the group to the snap up the two businesses, Mr Farr cited a chance to build on a promising foundation.

"We saw an opportunity with the local offering and what it was doing and thought we could bring a bit of life into it," he said.

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Originally published as Why developer snapped up Junk and The Office