Gold Coast Pankakes in Paradise vax mandate rebel Glen Day firm, says bookings through the roof

A restaurateur planning to defy Covid-19 vaccine mandates for Queensland venues from Friday, says bookings have “skyrocketed” in days since.

A Gold Coast restaurateur who declared he would openly defy vaccine mandates imposed on Queensland venues from Friday, says his bookings have “skyrocketed” in the days since.

Glen Day – operator of Pancakes in Paradise, Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta, Montezuma’s Surfers Paradise and The Aztec Broadbeach and Coolangatta – told the Bulletin his venues had been inunduated with customers since going public with his stance.

Pancakes in Paradise owner Glen Day in 2018. Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

Though he has no plans to backdown, the Gold Coast hospitality lobby’s ex-chair conceded some level of regulation would be followed in his venues.

“I’ll be abiding as much as I can, asking customers whether they’ve checked in, but I won’t be turning them away if they’re unvaccinated. I won’t turn away anyone,” he said.

He said monitoring of whether a patron had checked in via the state goverment app would not be manned by a staff member at the door.

“I had a trial doing this down at Coolangatta on Tuesday night and it was chaotic, we ended up having a huge line out the front,” Mr Day said.

“The response from supporters has been absolutely fantastic, we’ve had thousands reach out through Facebook and Google.”

Despite a tense exchange with Today Show’s Sylvia Jefferies, Mr Day said he would return to the show if asked: “I think (the interview) went pretty well, I think that I threw her and the producer in her ear a bit with my question,” he said.

“They cut it short because I don’t think they wanted a different perspective. It’s up to them if they’ll have me back. If they want to drill me that’s fine but I’ll be sticking to my guns.”

On the flipside, Burleigh Pavilion owner Ben May – who made clear his support of the new laws – has had critics review bomb his venue online, plunging his rating.

“I feel sorry for Ben, he’s just said it the wrong way. He’s a really good operator but probably could have chosen his words a little bit different.”

Mayor Tom Tate again said the responsibility to police mandates shouldn’t fall into the laps of venue owners and staff.

Pancakes in Paradise owner Glen Day. Picture Glenn Hampson

“My personal view is I don’t believe it is fair that hospitality operators and other small business traders have to be the ‘Covid cops,” Mayor Tate said.

“They are busy enough running their venues but at the same time, we must all abide by the State Government law and that currently requires Covid checks.

With Queensland tipped to reach its 90 per cent double vaccination rate in January, Mr Tate believes it would mandates should be “softened.”

“At 95 percent, unvaccinated residents will be in the true minority,” he said.

“While this debate goes on, the best advice I have is to get vaccinated and further, to have your booster shot. That is true pro choice and that is the best way to protect yourself and your family.’’

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