The owners of a Queen Street Mall business that has been operating for 35 years have been evicted so the Brisbane City Council can knock down the newsstand and develop the area.

Rankins on the Mall owner Ross Petersen told Fairfax Media on Thursday he was "devastated" after the council confirmed in writing he would be forced to leave on May 31.

Rankins on the Mall newsagent has been operating for 35 years. Credit:Lilly Curcio

Mr Petersen said the council met with him on February 14 to confirm its development plan for the area, which included demolishing the newsagency.

After months of pushing for something in writing, Mr Petersen said he finally received the written notice on Wednesday and a call from the council on Thursday morning to confirm the eviction.