'Landmark' building planned for city

6:13pm Wednesday 13th February 2008

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A DISUSED Oxford pub could make way for an art deco-style block housing shops and flats, if a restaurateur's plans are approved.

Clinton Pugh wants to demolish the Friar pub, in Marston Road, and replace it with the "landmark" building.

He hopes his proposed redevelopment will help regenerate neighbouring Marston.

The building would contain eight new one-bedroom and two-bedroom flats and three shops.

Designs were submitted to Oxford City Council last Friday, and Mr Pugh said he hoped they would be well received.

He said: "This area is so close to the centre of Oxford and the hospitals but there has been something lacking and it needs new life introduced into it. This development is a serious attempt to help regenerate the area.

"I could have just stuck in a planning application to put up flats, but I wanted to do something that would give back to the area. "

Mr Pugh, who owns Cafe Coco, Kazbar and the Lemon Tree in Oxford, said he wanted to open a greengrocer's, a delicatessen and a cafe bar on the site.

He was unable to comment on the cost of the project, as it is still in the early stages. He bought the Friar last May, after it had stood empty for six months.

Christine Taylor, 53, of Old Marston Road, said she felt the area needed something to regenerate it and added: "The pub had become so run down before it closed, no-one wanted to go in. I think it would be nice to have something that people round here could actually use. There isn't anywhere to get fresh fruit and veg any more, so that would also be good."

Tendra Duncan, 47, of Marston Road, said: "I don't know how successful a wine bar will be, but I do think the coffee shop would be well used.

"But people living near the Friar may not like a building that big overlooking them."