A WINE bar could move into empty Jericho premises that were at the centre of a planning row.

Oxford Wine Cafe, which already has a branch in Summertown, has applied for an alcohol licence for a building on the corner of Little Clarendon Street and Walton Street.

This comes after developer Shirehall Properties secured planning permission on appeal to change the use of what were three units into a single premises for a restaurant/cafe.

The Planning Inspectorate ruled in Shirehall’s favour in October after Oxford City Council had been unable to make a decision on whether to allow the proposal or not.

Our top stories

With planning permission granted, Oxford Wine Cafe, owned by Oxford Wine Company, is now seeking to run a business there and has applied to the council for an alcohol licence.

Jericho and Osney ward councillor Susanna Pressel said the prospect of a wine bar was a “disappointment”.

She said: “A lot of people in Jericho are very disappointed that we have lost the two or three small, individual shops that used to be there. It was these more quirky shops that were part of what made Jericho special.”

And the addition of another bar, just metres from Raoul’s and Love Jericho and those in Little Clarendon Street, has been questioned by councillors.

Cllr Pressel said: “There are already plenty of similar establishments nearby, all selling alcohol. I know some people will be rather sad at the multiplication of alcohol outlets.”

North ward councillor Louise Upton added: “It’s a shame it can’t be little independent shops because that would contribute to the character of the street but if they don’t want to open there then we can’t force them to.

“I'm concerned that it is another drinking establishment on that road and it would be a shame if it were to contribute to the late night drinking behavior that is already a problem in the area.”

But Oxford Wine Company managing director Ted Sandbach believes the area would be better served by a wine cafe.

He said: “I think it is a little too far down the road for shops but it is a great location for a wine bar.

“We don’t want to be a heavy drinking bar but somewhere nice to enjoy a glass of wine. We're not trying to attract a bunch of young people looking to get drunk.”

Oxford Wine Cafe’s success represents a shift in British drinking habits over the last two decades, according to Mr Sandbach.

He said: “ This is nothing like the sleazy male-orientated wine bars of 30 years ago.”

The application states the wine cafe would have a capacity of 90 customers and be open Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 11am-11.30pm, Friday and Saturday 11am-1.30am, with live jazz music once a week. CCTV would be installed on each entry door.

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.