Toowoomba’s The Paddock Butchery to close, questions remain over The Plate Restaurant

An up-market butchery in Toowoomba has revealed it will shut within days, with questions raised over other business ventures. Here’s why:

The owner of a premium butchery in Toowoomba’s northern suburbs has revealed why the shop will be closing for good within days.

The Paddock, which operates out of the old DeLacy’s Hotel on Ruthven Street in North Toowoomba, will shut its doors on Thursday.

The butchery, which sits alongside The Plate along with a drive-through bottle shop, told its customers the decision to close was “tough”.

“After much thought, we’ve made the tough decision to close the doors of The Paddock Butcher,” the post said.

“This journey has been an incredible one – filled with early mornings, quality cuts, and the best customers we could have asked for.

“We’re so grateful for your support, our chats over the counter, and your loyalty over the years. It’s been an absolute honour to be a part of your tables and your families.

“We ask that you continue to support our local small businesses, we know times are tough for everyone, but every cent you put through a small business is greatly appreciated and helps our community survive.”

The Plate Restaurant owner (from left) Alister Ferguson. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Venue owner Alister Ferguson, who also owns Bone Idol Brewery in the CBD, said he was currently in negotiations with a new operator for the site and that the butchery didn’t fit in with those plans.

“We’re just getting ahead of it and reorganising stuff so it suits a newer operator,” he said.

“I’ve got the bar and the brewery and we’re trying to reopen Preston Manor (wedding venue), so we’ve got a lot on our plate and we’re just consolidating.”

Mr Ferguson said The Plate and the drive-through outlet would remain open for now, though it is not clear whether its future was secured.

The Paddock started during the Covid-19 pandemic as a shop for meat, eggs, fruit, vegetables and other deli products that were all produced in the wider Darling Downs region.

This was followed by coffee drive-through The Shed in 2021 and The Plate, which has become one of Toowoomba’s most up-market eateries.