A new pub is expected to open at the site of a former nightclub in Abingdon.

KAT Enterprises Abingdon No2 Limited has submitted a premises licence application to Vale of White Horse District Council to open the pub at Coxeter House, for regulated entertainment, late night refreshment and the sale of alcohol.

Strattons nightclub closed in 2012 and Results gym moved into part of the space at the building in Ock Street.

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For decades, clubbers enjoyed heading to the venue - known in the town as 'Stickies'.

From the early 1990s it was called Themes, Buddies, Strattons and then very briefly Funky Monkeys, before shutting for good in 2012.

Now a new pub called The Earl of Abingdon is expected to open in the near future.

(Image: Andrew Fudge) Andrew Fudge who helped to run The Grapes in High Street, is part of a team applying for the licence, with the Vale council due to decide the application yesterday - Tuesday. He left The Grapes at the end of last month.

Mr Fudge said: "The Earl of Abingdon is a real title and we thought it would be a good name for the new pub.

"We want it to be a modern take on the English pub, with a sports bar and live music - a place where people can come and relax.

"We think it's in a good location - there aren't many residents living nearby.

"We have no desire to be a nightclub - there won't be a dedicated dance space but there will be live music."

Mr Fudge, who will be running the pub with Kylie Buckle, said it would occupy the ground floor of Coxeter House on the corner of Stratton Way and Ock Street.

(Image: Andrew Fudge) He added: "This is a completely new venture for us and we are looking forward to opening as soon as possible.

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"We are in talks with local breweries including Loose Cannon so we can serve their real ales and would like to run community games including darts and Aunt Sally."

The pub will be open seven days a week, and Mr Fudge expects it to close at midnight on most nights.

There will be Sky Sports showing live football, and one of the rooms in the pub will be dedicated to watching matches, including Oxford United games.

Once The Earl of Abingdon opens, staff will not be serving food straight away but bar snacks and meals are being considered as an option.

There was a party at The Grapes at the end of last month to celebrate's Mr Fudge's time in charge of the pub.

(Image: Andrew Fudge) It is understood The Grapes could remain closed for a short time while refurbishment gets under way.

The Coxeter family has been a prominent trader in Abingdon throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, and owned numerous shops in Ock Street.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

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