**Popular Oxfordshire Curry House Shuts Doors After Quarter-Century Amid Row Over ‘Curry Odours’**
A much-admired Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant in the heart of Wheatley, Oxfordshire, has been compelled to cease trading after 25 years, following a prolonged dispute over odour complaints. Cinnamons Restaurant, known for bringing the aromas and flavours of the subcontinent to the local high street since 2000, will be serving its final meal in June after an escalating legal battle with local authorities over the scent of its cuisine.
The saga began in 2021, when South Oxfordshire District Council upheld a complaint alleging that “curry smells” from the restaurant were causing a nuisance to neighbours. In a bid to address the issue, Cinnamons invested £35,000 in a new extractor fan system, acting on guidance from environmental health officials. Despite this costly intervention, the council deemed the upgrade insufficient after a subsequent complaint, labelling the new ventilation system as “defective” and issuing an abatement notice.
The financial weight of complying with further council demands proved too much for the family-run business. A consultant advised installing a higher-specification ventilation system, a move that would have required an additional outlay of approximately £50,000. However, with the restaurant still recovering from the economic shock of the Covid-19 pandemic and profits dwindling, owner Shirazul Hoque conceded defeat. Unable to afford a new system or maintain ongoing legal expenses, Cinnamons pleaded guilty to environmental offences last October, resulting in a significant £25,000 court fine.
For local regulars and staff, the closure marks the end of an era. Cinnamons has been a vital social hub in Wheatley since it was taken over by Shirazul’s uncles in 2012, providing not only meals but also jobs—ten of which will now be lost with the restaurant’s closure. Staff living above the premises will be forced to find new homes, adding a personal blow to the business’s financial woes.
Many in the community have been vocal in their support of Cinnamons, with glowing reviews on TripAdvisor lauding the restaurant’s food and service. In 2021, the restaurant’s dedication was recognised with a coveted Travellers’ Choice award, reserved for venues consistently ranked in the top 10% worldwide on the review site. Despite this appreciation from customers, the odour complaints persisted, leading to further scrutiny from council officials.
Addressing the issue, Shirazul expressed his dismay at the predicament. “It is hurtful to have our cuisine, which is loved, described as producing obnoxious odours that stink,” he remarked. “All our employees have families, and the chefs who live above the restaurant will be made homeless—it’s a big punch in the gut.”
South Oxfordshire District Council defended its actions, insisting that legal enforcement was only a last resort, pursued when businesses failed to comply with statutory requirements to address environmental nuisances. In a statement, the council said, “We always aim to advise and support businesses on how they can resolve issues. However, if measures are not introduced to solve the issue and abatement notices are breached, we have no option but to prosecute.”
Court records show Cinnamons pleaded guilty to four counts relating to statutory nuisance at Oxford Magistrates’ Court last October. The company was ordered to pay an £11,000 fine, £12,000 in costs to the council, and a £2,000 victim surcharge, culminating in the steep financial penalty that led to its closure announcement in May.
Looking ahead to their last day of operation, Shirazul shared plans to offer complimentary meals to patrons on 15 June, as a show of gratitude for the community’s longstanding support. He encouraged other hospitality business owners to “do due diligence in seeing how the council environmental health officers operate and learn the appeal process,” highlighting the complex regulatory landscape independent businesses must navigate.
The case of Cinnamons has ignited broader debate about balancing community well-being with support for small businesses that contribute to local culture. As Wheatley prepares to bid farewell to one of its most cherished eateries, questions remain over how such disputes can be managed more amicably in the future.
With the shutters due to come down on Cinnamons for the final time this month, both loyal customers and staff face an emotional farewell to a treasured fixture of village life—one that leaves a strong flavour in its wake, in more ways than one.