An Oxford University college has seen its bid to close a prominent Oxfam bookshop turned down by city planners.
Regent’s Park College submitted plans to alter the use of the ground floor and basement premises at 56 St Giles, converting the retail outlet into an academic space.
The scheme aimed to create a Middle Common Room to serve as a meeting and study space for postgraduate students.
As the property owner, the college now faces the choice of either contesting the council’s ruling via an appeal or preparing a revised application.
The application to convert from retail to academic use, submitted earlier this year, was turned down on April 1.
In supporting documents, the college highlighted that its postgraduate student numbers have increased fivefold since 2005.
Planning officers maintained in their refusal that the proposed change would breach the Local Plan.
Labour councillor Susanna Pressel held the position of Lord Mayor in 2008, when staff at the shop joined celebrated author John Mortimer in celebrating its 21st anniversary. During the two decades since the store first opened in 1987, volunteers had accumulated £4m in funds.
Following the refusal, Ms Pressel stated her satisfaction: the city council possesses a Local Plan with suitable policies enabling officers to reject the change of use application for the bookshop.
The Local Plan quite appropriately specifies that ground floor units in the city centre should wherever feasible accommodate activities including retail, art, culture or leisure.
While the institution deeply respects its historic university, the finest in the world, it cannot be allowed to take over every prime location. Ordinary residents count too.
Previously, Ms Pressel expressed optimism that the bookshop would continue trading in time for its 40th anniversary in 2027.
She earlier observed: the bookshop holds cherished status and offers an excellent browsing experience for discovering bargains.
Naturally, to make room for additional stock, many people sometimes need to sort through old volumes, and this location proves convenient for dropping them off. The fact that it benefits such a deserving cause provides extra incentive to purchase and donate items.
While Regent’s Park College faces genuine facilities shortages, that particular location is unsuitable for a student common room. St John’s College possesses substantial property in the surrounding area: perhaps it could lease space to Regent’s Park College.
The college declared in its submission: the existing Middle Common Room, located underground and reachable only via a narrow stairway, lacks windows for daylight or airflow, and proves entirely unsuitable for a community exceeding 150 members.
It is wholly inaccessible to students with mobility or other access requirements, and there exists no practical opportunity to adapt the space to comply with current standards.
The proposed use of the ground floor and basement at 56 St Giles represents the sole viable option for establishing an appropriate Middle Common Room and dedicated postgraduate study area that satisfies present needs and significantly improves the student experience.
Both Oxfam and Regent’s Park College have been asked to provide their views on the council’s decision.