Toowoomba CBD’s Margaret Street enjoying big turnaround as businesses move into maligned strip

It was maligned for its vacant shopfronts and low business activity. But a major street in the Toowoomba CBD is experiencing a resurgence, and business owners love it.

Co-owner Mark Bentley and employee Zanthie Verrall of Jillys Cafe on Margaret Street. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Margaret Street business owners Lisa and Mark Bentley’s daytime trading is busier than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic, and they believe it’s because the CBD is at its most “vibrant” in years.

The co-owners of city centre stalwart Jillys Cafe have joined a chorus of experts noting how the much-maligned street was finally hitting its stride.

Previously the focal point for locals’ woes about the city centre due to a large number of vacant shopfronts, Margaret Street is running out of tenancies to fill.

In the past two years, the strip between Neil and Ruthven Streets has witnessed the opening of the Cork and Lever, Pinot and Picasso, Spacies video game bar, disability service APM, the Longs Quarter multitenancy space and the Toowoomba Regional Council’s new $1.6m Carnival Lane to connect the street to more parking.

Margaret St in the Toowoomba CBD. Picture: Kevin Farmer

That doesn’t include the recent redevelopment of the Tatt’s Hotel and the impending opening of the Brewhouse.

Mrs Bentley, who has owned Jillys for four years, said she had plenty of confidence in Margaret Street going forward.

“I think daytime trade is a lot more than before COVID,” she said.

“Once COVID hit, we pulled back to just breakfast and lunch and that’s been a solid move.

“For me, I don’t know if they’re getting out more, but there appear to be more business people (coming to the cafe).”

Micha Whitley has opened the Cork & Lever in Margaret St. Tuesday 15th Dec 2020

Colliers International agent Justin Eastwell, who just this month filled the old Biriyani Hut site with a new operator, said there weren’t many ground floor sites still vacant.

“We have had a lot of inquiry from retail leasing, and when you take them through the CBD, they say there’s not a lot to choose from,” he said.

“We had a couple of franchisors looking at the CBD and we gave them a tour, and they were surprised how vibrant Margaret Street was.

“People are just wanting to get out and do something in the market, so Toowoomba has fared very well (post-COVID).”

Pinot and Picasso owner Louise Kann in the Margaret St studio. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Mr Eastwell said Margaret Street’s current position was in “stark contrast” to the narrative that has persisted for several years of the CBD’s decline.

This sentiment was shared by Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Rohl, who said businesses were reporting strong traffic.

“Those new enterprises, Cork and Lever, the upgrade to Tatts and the Brewhouse, I think it’s great for that street, and it shows the business community is willing to drive change,” he said.