Community & Business
6 October, 2025
Plans to re-open historic Leyburn shop
The owners of one of the oldest surviving buildings in not only Leyburn, but Queensland, is hoping it could again become a shop, submitting a development application to Southern Downs Regional Council.
A Material Change of Use application for 70 MacIntyre Street was filed in September by Creative Planning Pty Ltd on behalf of owners Kyran Eric and Janet Ruby Sprott.
The shop has been part of a private residence for many years.
A planning report submitted as part of the application says originally just the house next to the shop, known as Granal (also spelled Granall), was heritage listed due to the dwelling having bedlog foundations which are when logs support the structural foundation.
According to Southern Downs Regional Council's Cultural Heritage Study from 2012, Granal was constructed as the The Coffee Room Inn and Boarding House by James Murray in 1858.
"It was used as a Court House from 1861 to 1866," the Cultural Heritage Study says.
"James Murray later erected the Royal Hotel (opposite) in 1863.
"Granall is the oldest surviving building in Leyburn."
The Cultural Heritage Study outlines the Granal property's significance:
for its association with the local historical theme of the development of Leyburn as an administrative centre
for its historical value as a rare surviving building of an 1850s building in Queensland
for its architectural value as a good representative example of early timber construction techniques including slab construction
"Recently the council considered including the shop in its heritage listing, presumably because of its importance in Leyburn’s history; however to date it is still not listed," the planning report states.
"It should be noted however that neither of them is State listed."
A year is not provided for the construction of the shop building, however it appears to be of a similar vintage.
The planning report outlines the scale of use at the property as having one employee, operating from 9am to 5pm Wednesday to Sunday and having approximately 40 visitors a month.
The planning report states only very minor changes are proposed to the site, which includes a new ramp and roof at the rear of the building.
Local Heritage Register
Granal is one of many properties or places in Leyburn to be on the Local Heritage Register, with a total of nearly 900 across the Southern Downs.
Others are:
Leyburn Court House & Police Reserve, Police Magistrates Residence, Leyburn State School Playshed, Residence/Former Leyburn School Building, Henry Kirby’s Store, Batham’s Store, Former Butchers Shop, Royal Hotel, Kowitz Brothers Sawmill Site, St Augustine’s Church, St Matthew’s Church and QCWA Hall.
