PLANS for a new Shisha Bar have been put forward in Headington and there are concerns another could follow in Marston.

HST Designs has submitted plans to demolish an unused garage behind the post office in London Road and replace it with a shisha bar.

The area’s city councillor Roz Smith said she had no problem with the plans.

She said: “It’s quite interesting and it might be popular with the students we have in the area.

“I’m curious and I would prefer the building be used than sit empty.”

The site behind the London Road Post Office in Headington would be fitted with a canopy and seating area as well as sound-proof fencing according to the plans submitted to the city council.

Marston residents have expressed concern that plans for a new 85-seat sheltered area at The Somerset in Marston Road – and plans for a Lebanese Café there – could mean the sale of shisha as well.

Suhayl Ali, who owns the Somerset restaurant and bar in Marston, has applied for permission for the seating area which will allow people to drink and smoke outside.

Mr Ali refused to comment on whether shisha would be sold.

Shisha bars allow people to smoke flavoured tobacco through large pipes known as hookahs, which originated in the Middle East.

John Holt, who lives in Edgeway Road, off Marston Road, said he was concerned by the possibility of a shisha bar.

In his comments on the application to Oxford City Council for the new seating area he said: “News in the area is this will be a shisha cafe and I do not support it due to the noise and smoke pollution that this will cause.”

He added: “This is not the city centre and therefore it is not appropriate.”

The Somerset was transformed into a gastropub which served cocktails in 2008 in a bid to make it more popular.

It then started to serve Chinese food but has now been closed for more than a year.

Jane Davidson, who lives in nearby Ferry Road, said she had also heard the seating area would turn it into a shisha bar.

She said: “I am totally against it. Why would you want to ruin such a beautiful restaurant or pub that it could be?

“I have lived in the area for over 20 years now and Marston is a beautiful place.

“However, over the last few years I have seen an increase in crime by youngsters and with an establishment like this it will only get worse.”

City councillor for the area Mick Haines said he had not heard the new venue would sell shisha but that it would be a Lebanese Cafe.

He said: “I have not heard anything about shisha – people will be able to smoke in the outside area and it might sell beer.

“The other half will be a Lebanese cafe. I think it’s a good idea and will be good for the area.”
Mr Ali declined to comment.

  • To have your say on plans for a Shisha Bar in Headington go to oxford.gov.uk and use the reference number 15/03091/FUL by December 10.