BOURNEMOUTH’S Flirt Cafe Bar was closed for two days because debt collectors had confused it with another premises that the business uses for storage, its owner says.

Staff and customers were shocked to find the eatery at the Triangle closed on Monday, with notices saying it had been seized by the landlords.

Flirt reopened on Wednesday after the notices were taken down.

Owner Shaan Hussain pointed out that the notices were addressed to Flirt Cafe Bar at 15 The Triangle – a premises across the road which the cafe uses for storage.

“That’s owned under a different limited company. That’s used for storage at the back and we rent the front out to a barbershop,” he said.

He said that building had bene badly damaged by flooding in the basement and he had not settled the rent bill while a dispute was going on with property company CBRE.

“CBRE were not paid. They instructed the enforcement people to go and forfeit the property,” he said.

However, the enforcement officers mistakenly put the notice on Flirt Cafe Bar at 21 The Triangle and it took two days to get it removed so the cafe could reopen, he said.

He said he had started legal action over the issue. “It spooked the suppliers because everyone thought we had shut down,” he added.

He said he had paid half the money owed to the landlord while the dispute continues, and all suppliers were paid.

“We’ve always had haters in Bournemouth and when something like this happens, they jump on the bandwagon,” he added.

Mr Hussain said he was investing in the venue, with a new LED-lit bar and a bigger refurbishment due to begin in January.

He added: “The interior needs completely refurbishing and we’re intending to address that in January next year.”

He bought the business last year from Rob Hazell and Peter Moody, whose success was credited with rejuvenating the Triangle area.

A spokesperson for the James Hay Pension Trustees Ltd, which is listed on the repossession order as the landlord, said it was not the landlord but a trustee for investors in property. It said it could not comment.

CBRE had not commented at the time of going to press.