PLANS to create a mini-public square in East Oxford are about to take shape at long last.

Restaurateur Clinton Pugh hopes to start work in Dawson Street, off Cowley Road, very soon, with the aim of completing the work by the summer.

The area, which on Bank Holiday Monday will play host to a Mad Hatter’s tea party organised by traders, was first considered as a location for a public open space in 2005 after Oxfordshire County Council agreed to close the road to traffic.

However plans to rejuvenate the area have been on hold for the past two-and-a-half years, while the Dawson Trust charity built a three-storey, mixed-use building next to the site.

Mr Pugh said: “I have got planning permission to develop it as a public square and it’s my desire to make sure it’s as beautiful as possible.

“We’re hoping we’ll be able to get on with work very soon.

“I never intended for this to be my life’s work but unfortunately it seems to be taking that long.

“We couldn’t get on with it until the building work had been finished but I’d love to get it completed this summer.”

The plans will see the road height of Dawson Street raised to kerb level to create a square with space for outdoor seating for Mr Pugh’s two adjacent businesses, Cafe Coco and Kazbar, as well as a number of bench seats for the public to use.

Mr Pugh also plans to plant trees in the square.

Green city councillor Craig Simmons, who is standing down at next week’s elections, said: “The plans have been approved by councillors.

“One of the requirements was the balance between the amount of space for public use and the amount of space for cafe seating.

“We’ve got it exactly 50/50 between those users.

“We have been waiting on this scheme for a long-time and it will be nice to finally get the square finished properly.”

However, Cowley Road trader Erica Steinhauer, who is organising the free Mad Hatter’s tea party on Monday, has voiced concern over the final design of the square.

She said: “I’m very disappointed that half of the space is going to commercial use and we’re only going to get half the space for the public.”

Ms Steinhauer, who runs Bead Games in Cowley Road, is inviting people to bring tea and cakes to the party, which will take place from 4pm to 8pm.

cwalker@oxfordmail.co.uk