Ted Carey working in his Como butcher shop before its closure in 2019. Picture: Steven Siewert

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Ted Cary's much-loved former butcher shop at Como is set to be reborn as a cafe on its 100th anniversary.

Sutherland Shire Local Planning Panel over-ruled council objections and unanimously approved the development application (DA) for change of use of the shop, which Ted's father opened in 1926.

The panel imposed a condition "requiring sensitive design and retention of the street presentation of the building".

"While the building is not heritage listed, this is considered to contribute positively to the streetscape of the locality," the panel said in its written decision, which was published on April 13..

The former butcher shop will become a cafe. Picture by Murray Trembath

Following legal advice, the council backed down on its main objection to approval, which was that "existing use rights" no longer applied because of the time that had elapsed since the shop closed in 2019.

But, the council still recommended refusal because "the proposed contravention of the landscaped area development standard and the design and extent of various external works".

The panel said it did not agree with the recommendation as it considered the contravention of the landscape standard to be acceptable and, in any case, additional landscaping could be provided by not requiring extra on-site carparking.

"It was also considered that repurposing the building as a cafe would be an improved outcome for the local area," the panel said.

Interior of the former butcher shop. Picture DA

Ted Cary joined his father in the shop in 1947 and continued until he was 86 when ill health forced him to close the shop at the end of 2019. He still lives nearby.

The site was sold in 2023, and a DA for change of use was submitted in 2025.

A representative for the applicant told the DA hearing on April 7, 2026 the owners intended keeping "the quaint facade".

The butcher shop (right) was originally one of two shops at the location. Picture source unknown

A panel member suggested the name could be something like Butcher Shop Cafe.

Local resident Jason Firmstone, who said he had no affiliation with the applicant, told the hearing Ted's Butcher Shop, as it was commonly known, was "exceptionally well located".

It sat adjacent to a range of well established recreation facilities, he said.

Mr Firmstone said the precinct attracted a high volume of users, including many passing cyclists, and there was adequate parking and good paths.

He believed the building was far enough way from waterside cafes not to impact their business.