A FORMER cosmetics store in Cornmarket Street is to be turned into a temporary shelter for the homeless.

Lush moved into the Westgate Centre in October, leaving behind a vacant unit.

Temperatures in Oxfordshire fell to -9C during the early hours of Monday and voluntary organisation Homes4All said it was vital to get as many rough sleepers as possible off the streets.

The shelter, opening Saturday, could accommodate 19 beds.

Homes4All trustee Kym-Marie Cleasby said: “We were thrilled when Lush approached us to say we could use their old business premises on Cornmarket until their lease runs out at the end of January.

“The hostel will act as a stop-gap until we raise enough funds to convert our first bus into a shelter.”

David Thomas, leader of the Green group on Oxford City Council, said: “Two weeks ago the council refused to fund Homes4All’s idea of converting buses into homeless shelters.

“Now, with one of the coldest winters in a decade upon us, Home4All have come up with an alternative.”

On Monday 33 rough sleepers were helped by the council’s policy to provide extra support when the temperature falls to zero or below on three or more consecutive nights.

Neo, homelessness campaigner and member of Oxford’s rough sleeping community said: “There are four floors at Lush and I think it could accommodate 20 people every night.

“My concern is that someone sleeping rough will freeze to death this winter.”

Sophie Carlarne, 24, a digital media student at Oxford Brookes University, said: “It’s shocking to see so many rough sleepers - there is definitely a need for this.”

Mike Rowley, board member for housing, said: “Oxford City Council, in conjunction with St Mungo’s, Homeless Oxfordshire and The Porch has opened emergency accommodation over the past four nights during the cold weather for all rough sleepers, whether or not they have a local connection.

“All those who have wanted accommodation have been helped.

“From January, churches in Oxford will be operating an emergency night shelter with OxSpot, our Outreach Team, making referrals to the scheme.

“It may be that this latest initiative could become part of the ‘rolling provision’.”

Mr Rowley said the council and church accommodation included the provision of support services that were essential in helping the majority of rough sleepers.

Two weeks ago the council hosted a City Conversation on rough sleeping, which brought together councillors, churches, universities, businesses and homelessness organisations.

Mr Rowley added: “We are announcing plans to increase the council’s homelessness budget from £1.4m to £1.6m in 2019/20.”

Claire Dowan, chief executive of Homeless Oxfordshire, said; “I’m not aware of this particular project but I do know of Homes4All and would be happy to have a conversation with them.”

No-one from Lush was available for comment.