The licensee of a bar in a 16th century listed building has lost his appeal to keep renovations made during its revamp.

When the Arbery, in Market Place, Wantage, was transformed into Arbery Bar and Bistro, its 18th century wooden panelling and fireplace were covered over with plywood to make room for toilets and a store cupboard.

Modern glazed doors were also installed at the front of the building, all without listed building consent.

Licensee Luke Rainbach has now lost his appeal against the Vale of White Horse District Council's enforcement notice and has been given six months to put the building back as it was.

The Arbery Bar and Bistro will close for the first two weeks of January for the work to be carried out.

In his report, planning inspector Keith Turner said: "The council do not accept that the (toilet and storeroom) facilities are located in the most appropriate part of the building given the character and quality of the panelled room.

"The panelled door and cupboard door were clearly an integral part of this decor which has a distinctive appearance as well as forming part of the historical context of the building. While these features may be preserved in the literal sense, their concealment behind bland, featureless walls in a store and toilet cubicles is not in the spirit of the act."

Mr Rainbach will have to remove the plywood, the toilets and the glazed front doors and repair any damage.

Town and district councillor Jenny Hannaby said: "Everyone who is privileged enough to live in a listed building has to tow the line and apply for permission to make changes.

"These people come in and contravene it and hope to get away with it -- why should they be allowed to?

"It is a sensitive, much-loved building in the town and it should be looked after.

"The town council are glad that the appeal has been dismissed."

Mr Rainbach said: "I didn't think it was really fair. I will now have to spend £20,000 to move the toilets unnecessarily, so I would invite any customers to make donations.

"After the refurbishment, the panelled room will be part of the bar, which I am looking forward to as it will add further to the character of the Arbery."

The Arbery building was a department store for much of the last 100 years and many original features have been kept, including the frosted windows advertising departments and a Lampson Pneumatic tube which runs into the bar.