VAT row could see end to a smashing night out
Owner fights to save Greek restaurant famous for belly dancers
IT was the go-to destination for a smashing night out... literally. Athens, the popular Greek restaurant in Birmingham which has provided a little taste of the Mediterranean for three decades, has closed its doors after a row with the landlord.
In its time it gained a reputation for a party atmosphere with its traditional plate smashing and belly dancing attracting hen and stag dos from far and wide.
But a notice on the restaurant door in Paradise Street this week revealed the premises had been repossessed.
The letter, from enforcement agents, the Burlington Group, on behalf of the landlord, states: “The landlord has this day re-entered these premises which are situated at Athens Restaurant, 30-31 Paradise Street. The landlord is entitled to repossess and has now exercised their right under law.”
A separate notice states the restaurant owners must remove all personal effects and furniture by February 16.
However, Athens owner Savvas Sfrantziz said he would launch a legal battle to fight the repossession after a wrangle over VAT.
Mr Sfrantziz said: “There’s been a misunderstanding. The agents have changed the locks and kicked me out.
“My rent is up to date apart from £900 VAT – because no invoice was issued for the last year.
“I have instructed a barrister to go to court and file to reverse the repossession order.
“I’m hoping to be back in my restaurant soon.”
There’s been a misunderstanding, I’m hoping to be back in my restaurant soon Athens owner Savvas Sfrantziz
In November, plans were unveiled to regenerate the Beneficial Building, which houses the restaurant, to create a 130-bedroom hotel with ground-floor shops.
Former tenant Snobs nightclub closed in September 2014 and moved to a new base nearby in Smallbrook Queensway.
Mr Sfrantziz, who also owns Santorini restaurant in Hurst Street, opened Athens in 1988.
The restaurant sits opposite the ongoing £700 million Paradise regeneration project and has recently been hidden beneath scaffolding.
A spokesman for the Burlington Group declined to comment.