A DECISION on whether a derelict pub in Cowley could be turned into a mini supermarket is expected to be made later today.

The Nuffield Arms, in Littlemore Road, has been empty since last September, but The Co-operative Food wants to revamp the two-storey building.

The chain applied for a New Premises Licence to open a store seven days a week and sell alcohol from 7am to 11pm.

Oxford City Council’s Licensing and Gambling Acts Casework Sub-Committee will meet at the Town Hall at 6pm to decide on the application. A separate planning application to convert the building is yet to be decided on.

The company wants to demolish part of the existing property and build a new extension with eight car parking spaces.

Proposals for the mini supermarket, which would be 292 sq m with an extension of 90 sq m, also include employing up to 25 people.

Plans for the corner site were announced by Co-op representatives to Cowley and Littlemore councillors earlier this year.

City councillor for Cowley David Henwood said he welcomed the proposals for the Littlemore Road site.

He added: “Co-op have a good track record and I would like to see it happen.

“I think it’s a really positive thing for the area.”

The Nuffield Arms was built in 1933 and was owned by former brewery Ind Coope.

A refurbishment in 2010 modernised the interior before the pub closed down in September 2014.