Historic SA restaurant shuts its doors due to restriction and no COVID support

The owners of historic SA restaurant Leonards Mill have permanently closed their doors citing Covid-19 restrictions and a lack of support from landlords for the decision.

Iain Calvert and his wife Hayley Pember-Calvert, who took over the award-winning restaurant in mid-2017, said they were “mentally and financially” spent after struggling with ongoing density rules for the past two years.

“We were always hopeful that restrictions would ease but when we’re down to 25 per cent (density), we can only fit 24 people inside... it’s unsustainable,” Hayley said.

“We put everything into the business, mentally and financially, and we just had nothing left.”

The owners took to social media on Tuesday night to announce they were closing the restaurant.

“It is with a heavy heart that we have closed the doors to Leonards Mill Restaurant for the last time under our reign,” they wrote.

“These past two years especially have left us exhausted, damaged and working so hard we haven’t been able to breathe properly.

“The continual uncertainty over Covid restrictions and the pressure of our government constantly changing their minds, plus our landlord’s complete disregard to provide desperately needed repairs to the heritage building … has led us to making this heartbreaking decision. 

“This decision has been extremely difficult as we have devoted the last four years of our lives to supporting and bringing attention our amazing local Fleurieu producers. 

“We are sorry we couldn’t make it work. 

“We want to say thank you to everyone who has dined with us, to our fabulous regulars and to those who’ve just found us. We are grateful for your continued support and loyalty, it has been our privilege to have served you.”

Irit Jackson, 27^th January 2022