The owner of a popular Sydney bar has blasted developers for their 'contempt and disregard' after the bar was forced to close its doors on Thursday due to construction work.
Palms on Oxford co-owner Michael Lewis said the bar was unable to welcome patrons on Thursday night after its entrance was barricaded off for work on the new upgrades to Oxford Street led by the TOGA Group.
'Forced to close tonight due to the sidewalk being dug up out the front of our premises, zero notice, zero concern, seven staff and performers sent home,' the bar said in a fiery Instagram post.
'What a disgrace, five years of hell and the pain continues without an end in sight, let alone a phone call, letter under the door or even the slightest regards for our staff or business.
'Thanks for the nomination as a heritage LGBQTI+ business?'
In pictures shared by Palms, the entrance can be seen cut off by two large orange cones and a 'footpath closed' barricade which seemingly wouldn't have allowed patrons to ascend the stairs to the bar.
'No notice, no discussions, no opportunity to adjust trading hours, staff, etc.. To say we are livid is an understatement, latest affront in a long list of being treated with contempt and disregard for many years,' Mr Lewis said.
'And this is what we are expected to trade through? Normally a busy time for us during Faux Fur's "Wild Wednesday" show, how was this ever going to be workable or safe?'
Palms on Oxford Street was forced to close on Thursday night after its entrance was blocked.
They said they were given no notice of the construction work and blasted the developers, saying they have been treated with 'contempt and disregard' for years.
Construction is underway to build the 'Oxford & Foley' project that will include 7,600 square metres of office space and a new hospitality laneway.
The construction relates to the 'Oxford & Foley' development which remains ongoing on Sydney's rainbow strip.
According to the TOGA Group, the construction will include 7,600 square metres of office space across two 'signature heritage buildings', 2,300 square metres of 'bespoke' ground plane retail, views of the CBD and Sydney Harbour, and a new hospitality laneway.
'Rising from the city's eastern edge with glittering views of the harbour and CBD illuminating the sky, Oxford & Foley is right in the heart of where Sydney's inspired talent, locals and visitors want to be,' the website reads.
However locals were less than impressed by news of bar's forced closure.
'This is unacceptable, we want the developments done but my goodness it's so overdue and then the businesses are suffering enough, why make it harder?' one person said in a comment addressed to Sydney Mayor Clover Moore, Sydney Council and the Independent Member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich.
Another said: 'I'm so sick of Oxford Street being gentrified. It's a disgrace that they've opened up retail shops in the new spaces. Some Queer related businesses and bookshops would've been a better idea but instead we have straight couples kissing in our faces at the new ice cream shop.'
A person added: 'It's bad enough that we have been trying our utmost best to get people to make the effort of coming to Oxford St but this is [ridiculous], the development company must fix this up ASAP.'
'I hope there's suitable compensation for this.'
The Daily Mail has contacted Palms on Oxford and the TOGA Group for comment.