Town clerk Terry Jordan has cleared up part of the mystery over who has been granted the tenancy to run the pavilion café at Wisbech – but in doing so has created even more intrigue. “A tenancy is in place on the basis of the name of a business, not an individual,” he said. “The council is, obviously, receiving rent payments as a result.
“The tenancy is held by a business which is calling itself ‘Wisbech Park Café.”
He added: “I understand there is a belief that the tenancy has been awarded to Councillor Shahid Rafique; that is not the case. It is of no concern to me as to whether speculation widens.”
But whether the council has been even handed in its approach to finding a new tenant for the café is a matter some might debate.
Asr CambsNews can reveal the successful applicants share a connection through office space above Duke’s steakhouse in Church Terrace, which is run by Cllr Rafique and is owned by the Mayor, Cllr Sidney Imafidon.
Let me explain. On January 27, 2025, a new private ‘off the shelf’ limited company, Wisbech Park Café Ltd, was set up exclusively to run the Wisbech Park café so has no trading history. The registered address for the company is 7 Earl Street, Wisbech, a 3 bedroom house off the Norwich Road.
The company was incorporated with 100 shares, all held by a Nawaf Shahid, who also lives at 7 Earl Street, Wisbech.
But Mr. Shahid, 27, has multiple business interests registered with Companies House.
And these records list his trading address as 1st Floor, Dukes Steakhouse, 8 Church Terrace, Wisbech, United Kingdom, PE13 1BJ.
Mr. Shahid is also the owner and director of HH Wisbech Ltd, a company specialising in licensed restaurants and event catering. In December 2024, he updated Companies House with a change of address from 135 Park Road, Peterborough, to 1st Floor, Dukes Steakhouse, Wisbech.
HH Wisbech Ltd was incorporated in June 2023, with Adam Lukosevicius, an 18 year-old basketball player, of 7 Earl Street, Wisbech, holding 49 shares and Wisbech Hospitality Ltd, based at 1st Floor, Dukes Steakhouse, Church Terrace, Wisbech, holding 51 shares.
By July 2024, Companies House records indicate that Adam Lukosevicius ceased to have “significant control” over HH Wisbech Ltd, with Nawaf Shahid assuming control as both director and significant controller.
In September 2024, Wisbech Hospitality Ltd was also removed as a significant controller, transferring full control to Mr. Shahid. As of today, HH Wisbech Ltd has yet to file any trading accounts.
Additionally, Mr. Shahid owns and operates BB Wisbech Ltd, which also operates from Dukes Steakhouse. In December 2024, he updated its registered address from Peterborough to Dukes Steakhouse. Like HH Wisbech Ltd, BB Wisbech Ltd is classified as a licensed restaurant business.
The company was founded in June 2023, with Adam Lukosevicius – popping up again – initially listed as the sole shareholder. However, on February 1, 2024, control of the company passed to Mr. Shahid, and its registered office was moved to 135 Park Road, Peterborough.
By July 2024, Adam Lukosevicius had resigned as a director, and Wisbech Hospitality Ltd ceased to have significant control. BB Wisbech Ltd has yet to submit any financial accounts.
Another company linked to Mr. Shahid is Wisbech Hospitality Enterprises Ltd, incorporated in June 2023 by – yes you’ve guessed – Adam Lukosevicius, with an initial registered address at 9 Union Street, Wisbech. This address was leased to Councillor Rafique and later became Fusion 5, a takeaway restaurant, in July 2024.
In February 2024, Wisbech Hospitality Enterprises Ltd moved its registered office to 135 Park Road, Peterborough. By May 2024, Nawaf Shahid was appointed as both a director and significant controller, while Adam Lukosevicius resigned as a director.
However, in November 2024, Adam Lukosevicius returned as both a director and significant controller, while Mr. Shahid stepped down as a director.
The following month, the company changed its registered office again, relocating from 135 Park Road, Peterborough, to 1st Floor, Dukes Steakhouse, Church Terrace, Wisbech. As of today, Adam Lukosevicius is listed as the sole director, although Companies House records now refer to him as “Adamas Lukosevicius” instead of “Adam.”
Adam Lukosevicius is now back at the helm of Wisbech Hospitality Enterprises Ltd, although he is away studying. Despite its incorporation, the company has yet to file any financial accounts.
As for Adam, in a recent interview he was described as a “rising junior at Barking Abbey School and an uncommitted 2025 prospect. Originally a football player, he discovered basketball at 12 and quickly dedicated himself to improving, drawing inspiration from players like Kobe Bryant”.
Despite growing up in an isolated town (Wisbech) with limited basketball opportunities, he worked hard to progress in the sport. His past season had its challenges, finishing fourth instead of first, but competing internationally in Lithuania boosted his confidence.
His message to others: “Anything is possible if you put your mind to it.”
Which is probably a great motto to adopt when trying to work your way through a minefield of inter related ‘off the shelf’ companies, with no records of trading or success.
BACKGROUND
A dispute over ice cream sales erupted in Wisbech after long-time ice cream van operator Frank’s Ices, run by Frank Cannata, was banned from Wisbech Park due to a tenancy change at the park café. The café’s new tenants complained Cannata was told he could no longer operate in the park.
In response, Cannata vowed not to back down, planning to park his van on the public highway adjacent to the park, offering free toppings and special deals to compete. He also launched a Facebook page that quickly gained traction. Meanwhile, the café slashed ice cream prices and introduced toppings for a small fee.
Cannata, who had previously donated to charity as a thank-you for trading in the park, expressed disappointment over the decision but remained committed to serving the local community. He plans to resume operations outside the park
The conflict stems from a change in café management, following the closure of the previous café, Crazy Cow, due to operational difficulties and disagreements with the landlords. Wisbech Town Council over see the café’s lease.
