THE men behind plans to open a large new venue in Oxford have unveiled the first glimpse of what it will look like.

Since a licence was granted in March for the former Regal bingo hall, at the junction of Cowley Road and Magdalen Road, to turn into a 1,000-capacity live and recorded music venue, mystery has surrounded the exact plans.

Now, Adam Marsh and Charlie McCreedy are calling on the people of Oxford to say exactly what they want to see in the Grade II-listed building - and plan to throw it open for everything from tea dances to amateur dramatic groups and choral societies.

Mr Marsh said: "What we are looking to do is open it up to the whole of Oxford.

"It's a very big space with fantastic acoustics and some great art deco features.

"It will have a new sound system which will lend itself to live music, recorded music, business conference PAs, cinema and everything in between."

And Mr Marsh and Mr McCreedy were keen to reassure members of the public that they would work with the community, with Mr Marsh moving into a flat near the hall to learn about the area.

Mr McCreedy, who lives in Headington, said: "It lends itself to so many different uses and as a site there is nothing else like it around. A lot of people of a certain age have very fond memories of it."

The pair would not divulge how much they were spending on renovating the building, which they are renting, but a figure of £500,0000 was quoted at a hearing in March.

And they would not give full details about the planned evening use of the site, part of which should be complete by the end of January, with the venue due to open fully next summer.

But they confirmed it would have four bars, off-stage facilities for musicians, live music on up to four nights a week and recorded music on the other three.

They said their plans had not been affected by the opening of the Carling Academy, further down Cowley Road, in September - which can hold more than 1,000 people.

Mr Marsh said: "We think the Carling Academy is great and we wish them all the best.

"This is a completely different venue."

They refused to describe the venue as a nightclub.

Mr McCreedy said: "This is going to be something that opens day and night for a host of things so it can't be in any way described as a nightclub."

The venue is licensed until 4am on Saturday, 3am Friday, 2am Thursday and midnight the rest of the week.

Anyone wanting to hire the Regal - or who wishes to comment on the plans - should call 07831 838634 or email adam@the-regal.com