A RESTAURANT in Oxford is to be converted back into a chapel.

North Gate Hall, in St Michael's Street, was a Bill's restaurant but closed in 2020 due to the pandemic.

The building, which is Grade II Listed, was constructed in 1871 as a chapel and church hall for the United Methodist Free Church.

Oxford City Council, the planning authority, approved an application for the building to be turned into a chapel and church hall.

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A design and access statement prepared by Quinlan Terry Architects and submitted as part of the application said: “The building has stood on the site for over 150 years. For the last ten years the building has been classed for use as a restaurant but for the proceeding 140 years it has maintained a church and community role.

“The building has operated as a restaurant until March 2020 when it closed due to the covid pandemic. The business was struggling before the pandemic and a decision was taken not to reopen the restaurant which has now been empty for over two years.

“This change of use proposal aims to return the building back to its intended use as a church which will reinforce its historic significance as well as securing a suitable, long-term use for the building.”

The city council approved the plans saying that the proposal would “would accord with the special character, setting, features of special architectural or historic interest of the listed building.”

 

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

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