Artichoke restaurant at Sanctuary Cove closes due to state government Covid-19 vaccine mandates

An outspoken Gold Coast restaurant owner has vowed to reopen an eatery shut down by jab mandates – but not before he “sues the arse off the Queensland government”.

An unvaccinated restaurant owner has vowed to reopen a popular eatery he says was shut down by the state’s Covid-19 jab mandates.

But not before he “sues the arse off the Queensland government”.

Artichoke owner Grant Madgwick said he was launching a class action, but would not reveal which law firm he had engaged.

“I’m taking them to court for a class action. I’ve got lawyers looking after that,” he said.

Artichoke owner Grant Madgwick. Picture Glenn Hampson

“She’s rolling, don’t worry about that. Against police, liquor licensing, Queensland Health – all for breaches.”

Mr Madgwick said he suffered from a fungal infection called scedosporium prolificans and had been “too scared” to get vaccinated, despite prevailing medical advice.

He claimed he was not able to get an exemption – and state health directions mandate hospitality staff must be double-vaccinated to work.

The Sanctuary Cove restaurateur said he lost a significant amount of money during the earlier stages of the coronavirus pandemic.

He drew the attention of Queensland Police and the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation for failing to comply with health directions and was ordered to close under the Public Health Act.

Grant Madgwick said more than 30 people were working at Artichoke.

Mr Madgwick was fined almost $7000 and Artichoke was ordered to close from December 22-January 3, or until the venue complied in a reaction he dubbed “heavy handed”.

“They (authorities) turned up on the Friday at 7.30pm and flashed their badges. In the middle of service, the busiest time,” he said.

“I can tell you with all my weight, with everything I’ve got – I’m going to fight them so hard because it’s not law.”

He said the forced closure, which affected 32 workers, was the final blow for the restaurant. It had been operating for about a decade.

“We’ve had it tough with Covid. We’ve lost everything,” he said.

Queensland Police and the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation took action against Artichoke. Picture: Richard Walker

“The week before Christmas, you’ve (the government) closed my business.

“Instead of helping us, you’ve fined me then closed me.”

Mr Madgwick said any suggestions he had not been following the rules were “completely wrong”.

“I’ve got two beautiful children. No one will hire me because I’m not double-vaxxed and my business has closed,” he said.

“Artichoke will open once I sue the arse off the Queensland government.”

Research shows Covid-19 vaccines including AstraZeneca, Moderna and Pfizer “prevent severe disease, people going to hospital and death”, states the Department of Health.