DIDIM Council’s purge of everything on the streets has reached new heights of silliness – after a bar was told to remove its plants and trees!

The shrubs and young trees around the Lounge Bar, in Manastir Caddesi, have been a focal point and helped to offset the surrounding street scene for many years.

But council officials issued owner Alan Ozdemir and his business partner Metin Karaca with a surprising ultimatum to pull up the plants and cut down the trees as they were seen as obstacles on the pavements, or face massive fines.

Regulars have now rallied around the Lounge Bar and signed a petition calling for the council to have re-think over decision – even though the plants don’t affect the actual path of pedestrians.

A visibly shocked Mr Ozdemir said: “This is an absolutely crazy decision. The plants and trees are there to help pretty the area up, but the council has come along and asked us to remove them as they are seen as blocking the street scene.

“I am very angry as we are investing in trying to make the bar venue inviting to customers with greenery and to soften the venue’s image from the street. Surely, there is demand for greenery in the urban streets of Didim.

“The council has told us to get rid of the plants and trees that have been here for months within 24 hours or we will be getting a big fine.”

He added: “Our regulars have expressed surprise at the demand and we have now launched a petition to get the council to reverse its decision.”

Mr Karaca said: “We take exceptional pride in maintaining the plants and trees and trying to make the Lounge Bar a welcoming scene.

“Cutting them down will lose that special feeling. Our customers have never complained about the plants, if anything they have commented on how they look nice and colourful. What are we to do?”

The business partners have agreed to a request from the council to take down an advertising sign.