A much-loved Dunedin vegetarian restaurant is set to close and leave a long-running poetry collective homeless.
Circadian Rhythm Cafe owner Sue Harrison said the vegetarian restaurant in St Andrew St would close on December 19.
The lease on the building was not available for renewal.
She had planned to move the restaurant around the corner to Harvest Court Mall in George St but immediately regretted her decision and paid ''a lot of money'' to break the lease.
''But I have no regrets about pulling out.''
The change of mind was because the mall space had no natural light, no parking available immediately outside and limited foot traffic.
She signed the lease because she felt pressure from her customers to find an alternative premises immediately.
The customers were ''upset and confused'' the cafe was set to close, she said.
''They've had it so good for so long.''
The cafe had been in the St Andrew St building for more than 11 years.
Ms Harrison had owned the business for nine years.
If she had not found suitable premises in central Dunedin before December 19, the business would close and she would focus on the search.
Octagon Poets Collective member Carolyn McCurdie said the collective had been holding poetry readings in the cafe for seven years.
The final monthly meeting in the cafe would be on November 18.
''It's going to be quite sad.''
The meeting space was ''perfect'' and would be missed, Ms McCurdie said.
The collective was searching for another place for the meetings.
Ms Harrison said the building owner had plans for a Turkish restaurant in the St Andrew St building.
