A DECISION on whether a new Italian restaurant in Summertown can serve alcohol until midnight has been adjourned following public outrage.

The former Oxford Wine Cafe in South Parade will become ‘Thirty Eight’ restaurant and bar once an ongoing refurbishment is completed.

But its intentions to be able to play music and serve drinks until midnight seven days a week have led to more than 60 residents, St Edward’s School and Oxford Civic Society objecting over noise concerns.

The restaurant management clarified it was not planning on having live music except for one-off occasions and requested it until 10pm.

Three neighbours did support the new venture and said it would bring a ‘fresh change’ to South Parade following the wine bar’s closure last year.

The restaurant said the extension would mean customers did not feel ‘pushed to finish’.

Oxford City Council’s licensing sub-committee were due to make a decision on Monday but adjourned the matter in the absence of a representative from the restaurant – instead moving the hearing to May 29 so the owners could respond to objections.

St Edward’s School, which has classrooms and accommodation nearby, also asked to be present at that hearing.

The school's accommodation, currently used by teaching staff, is set to be occupied by pupils from September this year.

St Edward's bursar, Stephen Withers Green, said: “Pupils and staff living in the accommodation will be distracted throughout the day and into the late evening due to music playing and people leaving the premises.

“Their sleep will also be disrupted.”

St Edward’s Ogston Music School is also in South Parade and Mr Withers Green said he was concerned application would lead to an increase in parked cars, making it no longer safe for pupils to cross the road.

Summertown resident John Riordan, commenting on the plans, said: “The thought of a miniature night club opening until midnight every night of the week with live music as well would destroy the reasonably tranquil area.

“This sort of business should be restricted to the city centre not a residential area.”

Oxford Civic Society committee member Peter Thompson said the residential neighbourhood was ‘highly sensitive’ to noise nuisance.

The venue – currently licensed to serve alcohol until 11pm – will be run by the company behind Bacaro – an authentic Italian restaurant in Southampton.

Director Lucy Watts said: “We would like to extend the recorded music and alcohol sale license from 11pm to midnight, so our customers can enjoy their meal and not feel ‘pushed to finish’."

She added that the garden would be closed by 10.30pm.