A licensee fears for his pub's future if smoking shelters made from old shipping containers are sunk by the council.
Dave Westwood created the innovative smoking solution at the Vine Inn in Rugeley, Staffordshire, after the introduction of the smoking ban in July last year.
The two shelters, which have been cut out at the sides and decorated with hanging baskets, have proved a hit with customers.
But Dave has now been issued with an enforcement order from Cannock Chase District Council who says it is not in keeping with the conservation area the pub sits in.
Dave said: "The council didn't have a problem with it at first and I didn't think they needed planning permission anyway because they are not a fixed structure.
"I don't know why they want to take them down, I have never had a complaint. If they go it could have serious implications for residents because everything will be exposed and it could force people to smoke out the front of the pub.
"For us there will be a knock on effect in terms of business, which is a major concern."
But John Heminsley, planning services manager at Cannock Chase District Council, said the pub had already been warned about the shelters.
He said: "We are not happy the shelters are appropriate for a pub in a conservation area.
"We gave him six months to sort the situation out, nothing has been resolved so we have issued an enforcement notice."
If Dave does not remove the shelter he could be prosecuted at court and faced with a fine.