Sahara's website proclaims: “Come along and have a look, we would love to see you.” You bet they would — a place that attracts only three diners in 90 minutes on a Wednesday night is desperate to see anybody.

I visited out of curiosity, wondering what Sahara had done to bolster its fortunes since being closed in the summer while it was used for filming the second series of The Restaurant. Very little, it seemed.

The food is still well-cooked and presented with a modicum of flair, even if (last week at least) what’s listed on the website isn‘t always available.

But who cares, if nobody tastes it?

This often neglected venue tucked away in a back street needs urgent help. This is what I would do:

1) Install beers on tap downstairs; the bar is lamentable in this respect (just Czech lager and Belgian ale in bottles). Use the Jericho Tavern for inspiration.

2) Scrap the restaurant upstairs and replace it with a boutique nightclub. Lighten the décor, put in comfy seats and plonk a gimmicky feature such as a fountain or a sculpture suited to the brand.

3) Book DJs who will appeal to the core student market, such as Simian Mobile Disco, to rival Thirst Lodge in St Ebbe's — it's a three-storey gaff in a secluded spot, but doing well thanks to a make- over.

4) Keep the food simple: deli boards/tapas/bar snacks that go well with beers, shorts and long drinks.

5) Promote the new venue with happy hour cocktail deals such as cuba libres for £2.75. If the police moan, use the publicity to get the venue talked about.

It’s probably too late, however. I suspect the building will end up as housing, should planning consent allow.