Lydiard Street's Ballarista closed its doors in late March, but staff are only now discovering they could be left out-of-pocket, with the former owner declining to return calls. It is believed the premises were given rent-free during the COVID-19 restrictions.

Former employee Darren Horsley says he is owed around $18,000, and has been repeatedly ignored by owner Steve Hodge when attempting to recoup the money owed to him.

He says over two periods of work totalling 30 months, Hodge offered cash payments, which were always under the award at around $20 per hour.

"He had all my details, tax file number and all that, but he would just keep delaying every time I asked to go on the books," Mr Horsley told The Courier.

"Nothing was ever paid into my super(annuation); nothing was ever paid through the banks. I was never taxed."

Mr Horsley says all the Ballarista staff were in the same situation, which accounted for a continually high turnover of employees.

"He was a friend as well, that was the worst thing," said Mr Horsley, who fears he will now have to pursue Mr Hodge through the courts.

Ballarat artist and PTSD awareness fundraiser Ron Davis says he had left a Blue Poppy display box on the counter of the cafe, which he would like returned. He says he'd collected money twice from the charity box, which holds $120 worth of poppies.

"I would just like to politely ask why no-one rang me, why no-one had the decency to call and say 'come and get this', because I need those badges to go into other locations. What we do is important for the awareness of mental health," Mr Davis said.

Steve Hodge did not return calls from The Courier.

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