Artichoke at Sanctuary Cove to remain closed as Gold Coast venues prepare to welcome back unvaccinated guests

A prominent restaurateur whose venue was shutdown after he defied Queensland’s strict vaccine mandates has abandoned the city to operate another venue.

A prominent Gold Coast restaurateur whose venue was shutdown after he defied Queensland’s strict vaccine mandates has abandoned the city to operate another venue further north.

It is understood Artichoke owner Grant Madgwick has no plans to re-open the Sanctuary Cove venue despite vaccine mandates in most Queensland venues being scrapped from 1am Thursday, April 14.

Artichoke owner Grant Madgwick has reportedly relocated north to oeprate a new venue. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced most Queensland venues that only allowed vaccinated people to enter – pubs, clubs, cafes, restaurants, theme parks, cinemas, weddings, showgrounds, libraries and stadiums – will again be open to all.

Vaccinations requirements will still apply in vulnerable settings.

A team member known to Mr Madgwick, who is unvaccinated, confirmed he relocated north in recent months and is “running a restaurant there for some time,” they said.

“I don’t think he plans to open again at all.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the changes earlier this week. Picture: NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

READ WHEN ARTICHOKE RESTAURANT CLOSED

Mr Madgwick said in February he lost a significant amount of money during the earlier stages of the coronavirus pandemic.

Last December he was issued an almost $7000 fine for failing to comply with health directions and was ordered to close under the Public Health Act.

Meanwhile, Pancakes in Paradise owner Glen Day says the decision to scrap mandate restrictions for the unvaccinated will bring a sense of relief to operators and staff.

For months workers were forced to monitor guests’ vaccination status, he said, leaving many on edge about whether they would face volatile situations if forced to turn away customers.

But Mr Day, whose stable also includes Montezuma’s Surfers Paradise and The Aztec Broadbeach and Coolangatta, says those concerns will be a thing of the past next Thursday.

Artichoke will not re-open at Sanctuary Cove. Picture: Supplied

“It has been a bit of a chore trying to monitor people coming in,” Mr Day told The Bulletin, adding staff made their best attempts to enforce mandates.

“I have five restaurants so I told my staff, you have to ask people to check in. If they can’t then you just have to take them in as is. We aren’t the police.”

It comes after Mr Day said last December he would not enforce the restrictions – only to backflip on his decision days later following discussions with Queensland Police.

If found to be non-compliant, operators could be fined more than $6000.

Mr Day said police presence tapered off in recent months as the state’s vaccination rate continued to rise towards its current 95 per cent rate.

Glen Day from Pancakes in Paradise welcomes the easing of vaccine mandates. Picture: Richard Gosling

“There wasn’t too much drama once we sat down and had a few chats with the police. I was quick to point out the legislation said ‘making a reasonable attempt’ to enforce mandates – which I was doing.”

He said check-in signage at his venue would be taken down after close next Wednesday.

“These mandates were like holding a gun to someone’s head and saying give us everything you’ve got,” Mr Day said.

“I’m glad the unvaxxed can get back into the paddock and have some green grass as well.”

Follow @kaitlynsmthnews