Maxine and Phil Reeves followed their hearts and opened the Cliffhanger Tiki Bar in Trimingham last June, with the aim of offering a tropical paradise to those living in Norfolk.

But they got caught in murky waters after it emerged that they did not have the correct planning permission to open the venue, which is housed in a converted garage.

And despite submitting a planning application to North Norfolk District Council to regularise the site, the pair do not feel hopeful for the future.

Phil Reeves in the Cliffhanger Tiki Bar at Trimingham (Image: Denise Bradley)

In a post online, they said: "We are truly devastated for what has happened to our dream.

"We as ever want to thank everyone who has supported us and continues to believe in what we set out to do.

"A tiki style bar on the beautiful North Norfolk coast, it has been a constant nightmare, in the sense of the planning department and a very small minority of people who just can't stand change."

The Cliffhanger Tiki Bar in Trimingham may be closing after the summer (Image: Denise Bradley)

The couple want to reassure customers that they will be opening this spring and summer, but said "that will most probably be the last of The Cliffhanger tiki bar".

"You have no idea how much this hurts personally and financially. We are truly gutted."

However, at the end of the post they have revealed that this is not the end for the journey in north Norfolk.

They are planning to get their own pub in the area in 2027 and it said they will have merchandise available to remember the bar.

A screenshot of the recent post on Facebook (Image: Facebook)

The Cliffhanger Tiki Bar in Trimingham (Image: Denise Bradley)

TRAGIC TWIST FOR TIKI BAR

Mr and Mrs Reeves moved to the area from London more than three years ago and opened a guesthouse on the cliff in Trimingham - but Mr Reeves was keen to open a bar as well.

The bar, at the Ocean Retreat Norfolk between Gimmingham Road and Middle Street, then followed and opened in June last year.

The couple say they hoped the bar would create the feeling of being on holiday abroad, transporting customers to a Polynesian island, rather than the North Sea.

But six months later, it stirred up trouble with North Norfolk District Council after officials told them they have to make sure they get the correct paperwork to keep serving customers.

Maxine Reeves in the Cliffhanger Tiki Bar at Trimingham (Image: Denise Bradley)

In a further twist, the pair said they were told they would not need full planning permission when first consulting council officers about the plans.

However, they have already gained a premises licence, which allows them to sell alcohol.

They had set up a fundraiser to help with the planning costs, which included a £700 acoustic report.

A spokesman for North Norfolk District Council had previously said that the authority was working with the couple to find a resolution.

The council is yet to make a decision on the application.

© Eastern Daily Press