POPPIES in Soham is hoping to become a stylish wine bar by Christmas. Owner Dave Dawkins has applied for planning permission and an extension of his licence to cover an area twice the size of the current Poppies restaurant/café. Mr Dawkins said he wanted

POPPIES in Soham is hoping to become a stylish wine bar by Christmas.

Owner Dave Dawkins has applied for planning permission and an extension of his licence to cover an area twice the size of the current Poppies restaurant/café.

Mr Dawkins said he wanted to play his part in bringing more business to Soham and regenerate the town centre. And if his Marco's wine bar project gets the go-ahead he plans to install a secret Tudor garden at the rear of the premises.

"It's about time Soham had a tourist attraction," he said. "you do get tourists coming through here but now this gives them something to do."

At a September planning meeting, the town council gave Mr Dawkins' proposal recommended approval for the site at 2 Churchgate Street, stating "the council strongly supports schemes that help rejuvenate the town centre."

The final decision rests with East Cambridgshire District Council and is expected in a few weeks time.