A new restaurant with hookah and shisha pipes will soon be opened in a town.
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.
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."
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