Office’s highs and lows Ex-owner says stopping drugs at venue was a factor in collapse

AN ATTEMPT to clamp down on drug use among customers contributed to the collapse of Toowoomba bar The Office, according to a former director.

The comments come after liquidator Robson Cotter Insolvency handed down its report into the demise of the bar’s previous parent company

Speakeasy Toowoomba Pty

Ltd.

In the report, Roland Robson found the entity owed more than $1.5 million to creditors, with just over $10,000 in assets.

Ex-director Scott Hoskins, whose main company Worldwide Hospitality Group at one point owned several top restaurants, cafes and bars across the city, said there were many factors that impacted business at the bar from 2016 up until March this year.

But he said the business impacts of trying to quash drug use by customers at The Office, which included drugs as well as improper attire, were significant.

“The (drug use) among the customer base was undesirable and we set about changing that,” Mr Hoskins said.

“We learnt that on day two, when we were involved in some unsavoury drug activity.

“The drug one was the big one, (but) we really wanted to raise the standard around dress regulations and offer a level up from what was available in Toowoomba.

“We probably missed the mark there, because there weren’t enough of those patrons to keep the business open.”

The liquidation report from Mr Robson said “a lack of significant working capital” and an “inability to generate significant income” were behind the business’s collapse.

The Office, along with sister venue The Chelsea Bar, was bought by restaurant owner Mic Uebergang last month and renamed The Florence Public House.