OXFORD's pavements could become a huge outdoor restaurant this summer, as Mission Burrito and other big names plan more pavement seating.

They are joined by smaller, local businesses including Mamma Mia Pizzeria in Jericho and American-style burger restaurant Rick's Diner on Cowley Road, who are also hoping to provide customers with an al fresco eating experience.

Restaurants, cafes and pubs have started to place tables and chairs outside their premises recently after being allowed to reopen with the easing of Covid restrictions.

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But any business which wishes to do so has to apply for a licence from Oxford City Council.

Where will the new tables go?

Mission Burrito, the Mexican-style chain restaurant on St Michael's Street is one of the city centre businesses hoping to erect more outdoor tables.

St Michael's Street is currently pedestrianised under a temporary plan which will last until September, and businesses already have tables and chairs outside in the narrow street.

Mission Burrito currently has three outdoor tables there, but wants to place up to six small tables there instead as Covid restrictions further ease.

Mission Burrito, Oxford, on April 12 as it reopened. Picture: Oxford Mail

Mission Burrito, Oxford, on April 12 as it reopened. Picture: Oxford Mail

On Turl Street, Mooboo Bubble Tea wants to place three tables on the pavement.

And on Cowley Road Mostro Coffee and Rick's Diner have also made applications to place tables outside the front windows of their premises.

In Walton Street, Mamma Mia Pizzeria is hoping to place tables and chairs in an area surrounded by planters which used to be parking spaces for cars.

Before June 21, the pizzeria wants permission for five two-person tables, and after this date it plans to increase it to six as social distancing rules are set to be relaxed.

What about plans for tables which have been mentioned before?

Meanwhile, several restaurants are still waiting on the city council for a result of whether or not they can place tables and chairs street side.

Dosa Park, an Indian restaurant on Park End Street, near the train station, applied for a licence to place seats between two large planters at Frideswide Square in May.

The newly opened Costa Coffee on Headington's London Road also wants permission for tables on the side of the busy street.

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If given the go-ahead, Costa would place four two-person tables around the outside of the cafe.

Mary Clarkson, the city council's cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism has previously said the authority would work with businesses on a case-by-case basis to decide where outdoor dining was appropriate.

In April, she said: "We want to help hospitality to recover as much as possible and it is a question of treating each of these applications on its own merits.

"We don't want tables and chairs on narrow pavements pushing pedestrians on to the road obviously but where there is space we will do everything we can to make it happen."