It is a scene more familiar with the streets of Paris shoppers sipping espressos at pavement cafes as they watch the world go by.

But now the streets of central Oxford will also have a continental 'cafe culture' feel to them, after councillors approved plans for two cafes, one in Broad Street and another in Castle Street, to allow customers to eat and drink outdoors.

Oxford Campus Buttery in Broad Street and Bar Ha Ha in Castle Street have both been given temporary permission by city councillors to put out tables and chairs but the plans were not passed without controversy.

Council officers had recommended councillors refuse planning permission for the Broad Street cafe, fearing a pavement cafe would add to "clutter" and impede views of the street and university buildings.

English Heritage, Oxford Preservation Trust and Balliol College, which has student accommodation opposite the cafe, had all voiced objections to the plans.

But councillors voted five to one in favour of the plans.

Oxford Campus Buttery owner Sally Moss said: "It's very good news. We're really, really pleased. It's going to be good not only for our business but for Broad Street too.

"It should look really nice and we've been doing our research to make sure it looks the best it possibly can."

Ms Moss said she hoped the pavement cafe, which will have 11 tables and 34 chairs, would be open for business within the next two weeks.

As councillors had raised concerns about mess the cafe could generate, Ms Moss said there would be a dedicated waitress service and china crockery would be used.

The meeting heard from Bill McCardle, chief executive of the Oxford city centre management company OX1, who said: "Shoppers wish to see a cafe culture in the city centre.

"They often note the lack of cafe culture in Oxford compared to other cities such as Bath and York.

"Cafe culture would benefit the local economy and would encourage people into the city centre."

The cafes have only been granted permission to operate on the street for two years and must obey certain conditions, such as not using patio heaters or umbrellas.

Tony Brett, city councillor for Holywell ward, said: "Broad Street has always been a mess in the 15 years I have lived in Oxford. We have someone here who is keen to liven it up and make it a nice place to be.

"Let's give them a chance to do what everyone else has failed to do."

Lord Mayor Bob Price, city councillor for Hinksey Park ward, said officers had failed to convince him the pavement cafe would ruin views of the street and felt granting temporary planning permission was a good idea.