A café owner has been thrust into a bitter war with his local council after he was ordered to shut a walk-up window at his premises without explanation.

Local Folk owner Ashley Benson told Daily Mail Australia he was stunned at being told to make the change at his business in the inner Melbourne suburb of Kensington.

The window had served as a convenient take-away point where customers could order and pick up their drinks without having to enter the cafe.

It was particularly helpful for customers with kids, or prams or dogs, or those in wheelchairs. 

Mr Benson put a sign on the cafe window informing the public that closing it was not his decision but one forced on him by Melbourne City Council. 

The long-term owner appreciated councils have to ensure businesses follow the laws but has no idea which law is being broken by a service window.

‘I’ve been here for 10 years, and we play within the rules. But, all of a sudden the council have come and said you can’t serve out the window,’ Mr Benson said.

‘I’ve tried to ask them, “Can we work around it? Is there a different system we need?”,’ he said.

‘But they’ve just come in and told me, “If the window’s open you’re going to get a fine”.’

The ‘coffee window’ provides Mr Benson’s business the extra revenue required to survive in an economy where many are cutting back on spending.

‘The majority of our sales are small sales,’ he said, revealing his customers were mostly walking past the business while taking kids to school or heading to work.

‘The industry’s already struggling.’

Mr Benson said the window benefitted customers who might not be able to navigate easily into and out of the cafe.

‘We’ve got a step up (in the doorway) so for anyone with a walking frame getting up is a challenge,’ he said.

‘With the window it’s so easy, and for the community (it means) they get a social connection, we know everybody’s names, and they get to chat with the friendly staff we have.’

Mr Benson said his cafe is a strong community hub, he hires and upskills  local kids, knows their families, and has driven charity appeals through the business. 

That’s partially why he’s been so bewildered by the council’s stubborness.

‘If there was a law fair enough, but I can’t find anything,’ he said. 

‘They just won’t consult with me.’

Local customer and former deputy and acting lord mayor Arron Wood said the  case was indicative of a council had lost touch with business owners. 

‘It’s clear that Town Hall under the leadership of Nick Reece has no understanding or sympathy for small business owners who are simply trying to get by and earn a living,’ he said.

‘This is just one of many examples I have heard about the City of Melbourne’s wrong priorities when it comes to small businesses in the municipality.

‘Local Folk is a great café in Kensington and I will be visiting them soon to show my support for their business.

‘Melbourne needs a fresh start and the best way to do that is to change the leadership at Town Hall.’

A photograph of the sign was shared to Facebook where many expressed their frustration with the council. 

‘They are killing off businesses that have managed to survive the worst economic conditions in our history, much of which have been created by a heartless and cruel-to-the-bone Victorian Labor government,’ one Melburnian said.

‘Elections matter, especially local ones,’ another reminded the public.

It’s understood the window has been closed as the City of Melbourne devises a permit system for coffee windows.  

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the City of Melbourne for comment.