A POPULAR Headington deli has won a battle to keep 75 per cent of its tables and chairs after city councillors bent their own rules.

Jacobs & Field, in Old High Street, opened its doors in March and proved an instant hit with foodies.

But as its reputation grew, so did its seating area, triggering the need for a change in its planning status to trade as a shop and cafe.

Oxford City Council had reached its limit allowing Headington shops to convert to other uses such as cafes and restaurants.

So city planning officers, sticking to the letter of that law, called for enforcement action to be taken, and ordered the majority of tables and chairs to be removed.

But councillors, persuaded by a deluge of letters of support, have now agreed to bend the rules and Jacobs & Field can continue to serve its faithful fan base.

Johnny Pugsley, who co-owns the shop with Damion Farah, said: “It is down to the huge support from everyone in Headington and everyone who comes to our shop.”

Mr Pugsley said the shop had originally opened with about 15 covers but that had increased with demand.

“People really wanted to sit in our environment.

“We made it a home from home,” he said.

“We didn’t intend to have as many tables but the demand was there.”

Had they failed to gain the planning permission, to allow a mixed retail and restaurant use, he said 75 per cent of tables would have been removed, hitting the business badly.

Mr Farah said: “This is really great news. It means we can survive in future.”

Jacobs & Field is the pairs first independent venture in the city having previously worked for the company behind the former The Lemon Tree restaurant in North Oxford and Kazbar in Cowley Road.

Councillor Van Coulter, who sits on the north east area committee that overturned the officers’ recommendation and granted permission, heralded the news.

He said: “People are travelling to Oxford just to use Jacob & Field, adding to the footfall in the area for other businesses.”

He added that the policy restriction change of shop uses was to protect the vibrancy of Headington, but the committee felt the Jacobs and Field plan enhanced this.

Mr Coulter added: “To stick to the letter of the law, if we were to refuse it, would take something away from the Headington shops area.”