THE former Jongleurs and Bar Risa building in Oxford now has new operators, who plan to to run a sports bar and comedy club.

Cavendish Bars has acquired the building in Hythe Bridge Street and begun refurbishment work.

London-based Cavendish is converting the ground floor into a Wahoo sports bar and has entered into a joint venture with comedy promoter Glee Club to stage stand-up comedy nights upstairs.

Ben Abrahams, brand manager for Wahoo, said: “There’s going to be a massive refurbishment to create a West Coast-style bar. We want to have a big presence in Oxford and provide a venue that is safe and fun.

“The opening date could be around the start of April but we will make detailed announcements in the near future.”

Lawrence Tosh, pictured, a promoter for Cavendish Bars, who is supervising work on the site, said: “We want to open in time for the World Cup this summer and target that market with our sports bar.”

Jongleurs and Bar Risa shut in October last year and the area outside the club became a dumping ground for litter left by clubbers on their way home.

Colin Cook, the city council’s executive member for the city centre, said that the council had received an application from Cavendish for the transfer of the licence.

He added: “Thames Valley Police are the only consultees and have responded with no objection.

“There are couple of administrative matters to sort out before the transfer can be issued.”

Council spokesman Louisa Dean said the new club would keep to the same opening hours as before.

These are from 10am to 2am from Monday to Thursday, from 10am to 3am on Friday and Saturday, and from noon to 2am on Sunday.