A POPULAR Tapas bar owner is ‘devastated’ and ‘may go bust’ after Warrington Borough Council ordered the closure of their most lucrative feature.

Halil Ayaz first opened the Pasha Lounge, in the Old Town House off Buttermarket Street, in 2020 shortly after the first Covid-19 lockdown.

The 49-year-old took over the property after the previous owners were forced to shut the venue, which was previously used for gigs in 2019.

Halil said to the Warrington Guardian at the time: “I’ve always wanted to run this bar. It’s a lovely building and I love the area of Warrington.

“Everything’s new – the kitchen, the design inside, the outside – so why not give us a try and see for yourself.”

As part of the new design, Halil installed some temporary structures, or pods, for customers to use outside.

These pods were initially to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 and have stood in the garden of the Garde II listed building for the past four years.

The structures were installed in 2020The structures were installed in 2020 (Image: Supplied)

“He put some pods and canopies in the garden because the garden is the main revenue for the property to be honest,” said Denise Dearing, Halil’s partner.

“He’s had the bar for four years now and when he got the property it was more or less derelict, and he’s completed renovated it.”

However, Halil was shocked to discover an enforcement notice left by Warrington Borough Council on the gate of the property, ordering the pods to be removed due to the building’s listed status.

“They just clipped a notice onto the gate, no conversation as to what would be okay or negotiation as to how we could work with them to try and streamline things, so Halil doesn’t lose his business,” said Denise.

“There was nothing, just a notice on his gate.

“He’s devastated because he’s done so much to the place, he’s built it up over the past four years, he has returning customers who absolutely love the place.

“It’s just bringing the community together to be honest, it’s just lovely and the council are not seeing the revenue it’s bringing into Warrington.

“He’s really built his business up and now they’re saying it’s not allowed.”

Halil believes that the garden and the pods are the main source of revenue for Pasha Lounge, and that if they are removed, he could lose everything.

“If I lose all of the front, I don’t know how long I’ll stand for, maybe two or three months before I go bust,” he said.

“I may lose my business.

As the pods are temporary structures and can be completely removed, the couple believe that it is in no way causing damage the Grade II listed building.

“We hope they overturn their decision because it’s not a Grade II listed garden,” said Denise.

“He’s kept the building in keeping with the Grade ii listing, he’s not touched it except making it safe and usable again because it was derelict when he got it.

“He’s been through lockdown and covid and he’s worked so hard and spent thousands to build it up, and now they just want to pull it from under his feet.”

The couple argue, and the building’s landlord, that similar structures have previously been erected by Warrington Borough Council elsewhere in the town with no issues.

“The council have threatened him with prosecution for erecting sheds, which have been incredibly popular in an incredibly tough market for hospitality,” a spokesperson for the landlord said.

“The council erected identical sheds in the Queen’s Gardens, they are allowed to remain.”

Both the landlord and Halil have also accused the council of racism, after another Turkish businessman faced similar issues with his restaurant in Stockton Heath.

Warrington Borough Council were approached for comment on all of the issues and took two weeks to respond.

“As with all ongoing cases, we are unable to provide specific details regarding the Pasha Lounge planning enforcement investigation,” a spokesperson said.