New hookah and shisha restaurant to open in town
New hookah and shisha restaurant to open in Thetford. Photo: Emily Thomson - Credit: Emily Thomson
A new restaurant with hookah and shisha pipes will soon be opened in a town.
New hookah and shisha restaurant to open in Thetford. Photo: Emily Thomson - Credit: Emily Thomson
Thetford business, Maxi Poli, an eastern European food store and car wash in Lime Kiln Lane, has had plans approved for the use of hookah and shisha pipes at a restaurant, which is soon-to-be opening in the town.
Formally Maxi Café, also in Lime Kiln Lane, the new restaurant will open under a new name which will offer a mix of cuisines including traditional Italian and Polish food.
After lodging plans with Breckland Council, which have now been approved, the business will open from 9am to around 10pm, seven days a week, which the owners said will give the community a place to come and relax in the evenings.
Amin Bashdar, director of Maxi Poli, said: "We have been granted planning permission to build an outside area out the front and back of the building for people to sit and the use of hookah and shisha.
"In Thetford we don't have anywhere to sit and have fun. There is nowhere to go in the evening because everywhere closes early. I think it will be good for the town."
Hookah and Shisha are water pipes used to smoke sweetened and flavoured tobacco and the restaurant plans to stock plenty of flavours for customers to enjoy.
The plans have gone ahead despite concerns over noise levels with later opening hours, but Mr Bashdar has assured that this will not be a problem.
Most Read
- 1 Bank with only 15 in-branch customers to shut down
- 2 Council’s wildlife camera stolen from conservation area
- 3 Thetford pupil Oxford-bound after hat-trick of A* grades
- 4 Where you will be able to see the Red Arrows over Norfolk this weekend
- 5 'Do not eat' - Lidl recalls product over bacteria fears
- 6 Parish council weighs in on row over 'rollercoaster' racking
- 7 A-levels 2022: All the results from Norfolk and Waveney
- 8 West Norfolk village pub to reopen as bed and breakfast after sale
- 9 Product sold at Tesco recalled due to risk of disease-causing bacteria
- 10 Truss claims UK workers need 'more graft' in leaked statement
He said: "It's a great location. When I closed the Maxi Café in June people kept asking why because they really enjoyed it but the new restaurant will be even better."
Despite hopes to open before Christmas, the restaurant owner says it is looking more likely that it will be in the new year.
Mr Bashdar added: "When I was on holiday in Turkey and Egypt I saw tourists smoking shisha pipes, they really enjoy it. It can be relaxing and a chance to socialise.
"It's a good thing for Thetford because there is nowhere to go and hardly any restaurants are open later so people can sit, drink and now smoke.
"For me personally, I can't wait for the summer when I can sit outside and enjoy it."
