AN OXFORD restaurant which has been the scene of a lengthy dispute over the use of an outdoor pontoon is set to reopen with a new image.

The former Aziz Pandesia Bangladeshi restaurant, at Folly Bridge, is undergoing a £50,000 facelift to transform it into a Mediterranean-style venue, with live belly dancing and an outdoor area for smoking shisha pipes.

It will reopen as the Riviera on Thursday, November 12.

Two years ago, restaurateur Aziz Ur-Rahman won a High Court legal battle against Oxford City Council allowing him to serve customers on the pontoon on the River Thames until 9.30pm.

Two months ago the council allowed him an extension until 10pm, but rejected his request for an 11pm closing time.

Residents living close to the bridge have complained about noise from diners.

Mr Ur-Rahman will now sub-let the venue to well-known local restaurateur Nasser Fawaz.

Mr Fawaz was forced to close his Lebanese restaurant, Du-Liban, in Broad Street, after the 2007 smoking ban stopped customers smoking shisha pipes in the building.

The 50-year-old from Headington said: “I have been looking for the right location and it’s taken a long time to find the right place.

“People associate me with belly dancing and shisha smoke. I think the shisha will be a big draw, the pontoon will be a big draw and the live entertainment will also be a big draw for customers.

“I have already got a rock-solid client base and we’re waiting eagerly for this to happen.”

He added: “Initially we’re content with the opening times. Ideally it would be nice if we had an extension but we will be courteous to the residents around us.

“Smoking a shisha is harmless fun but very relaxing.”

The new leaseholders still have to adhere to the 10pm closing time on the licence. However, Mr Fawaz intends to keep the restaurant itself open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

The pontoon will continue to be used for dining by up to 80 people. Mr Fawaz said a sheltered section was being built to house up to 30 shisha pipes.

However, under the terms of the licence, live music and bellydancing will take place inside the restaurant.

Mr Ur-Rahman, who is leasing the restaurant to Mr Fawaz for a two-year period, with an option to buy out the lease, said: “The change was down to a combination of things.

“It got to me after three years of constant battling and not being able to open later during the summer period.

“It had been a real frustration and a problem right from the outset.

“But in the end I think it needs a change of direction and cuisine. With Mediterranean cuisine, I feel there’s much more opportunity for trading for more time.”

cwalker@oxfordmail.co.uk