IT IS a scene more familiar with the streets of Paris shoppers sipping espressos at pavement cafs as they watch the world go by.

But now the streets of central Oxford will also have this continental 'caf culture' feel to them, after councillors approved plans for two cafs, 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 refusal of planning permission for the Broad Street caf, fearing it 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 caf, had all voiced objections to the plans.

But this was not enough to deter councillors from voting five to one in favour of the plans at a meeting on Tuesday evening.

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 caf, 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 caf 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 caf culture in the city centre.

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

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

The cafs have only been granted permission to operate on the street for two years and must obey certain conditions, such as not using patio heaters, umbrellas and regularly clearing tables of rubbish.

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."

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

Stuart Barker, assistant manager at Bar Ha Ha, which will have seven tables and 14 chairs in a row outside its entrance, said: "It's fantastic news for us.

"This area is going to be booming in the summer and now we have been granted planning permission for this our customers will be able to enjoy a drink and a meal outside in the sunshine rather than being stuck inside. It's great news."