A couple have mounted an ambitious campaign to end the perceived division between "town and gown" in Oxford by creating a new civic and cultural centre.

Jonathan and Eleanor Ungar want to convert a 16th century listed building that has been derelict since 1989.

It is a historic site regarded by planners as being 'at risk'. The Council for the Preservation of England Building Trust is surveying the building to find out how best to restore it.

The aim for the centre is to unite the city's residents with university academics, local politicians, artists and teachers.

The couple, graduates of Hertford College, have already converted part of the building wedged between Alice's Shop and Alice's Tea Room, in St Aldate's, into a caf and bookstore called Reservoir Books.

It is hoped the initial business venture will raise awareness of the project and funds to restore the building. Publishing houses including Oxford University Press, Blackwell's and Routledge are already regularly donating books to be sold in the shop to help raise money. But the project relies on winning support from key organisations including the city and county councils, Oxford Preservation Trust, the city's museums and libraries and Oxford University's European Humanities Research Centre.

None of the institutions could confirm support in these early stages, but conservation officers welcome restoration of the dilapidated building.

An Oxford City Council spokesman said: "We certainly support the prospect of the building being restored because it's one of only two buildings in Oxford that we class as being at risk. The other is the Martyrs' Memorial. The wider scheme for a civic centre would need approval through the usual planning process."

County museums and heritage officer Martyn Brown said: "We are in the process of putting a lot of our exhibits on to the Web and are happy to promote wider public access. We are certainly open to partnerships." More than £1.7m is needed to redevelop the site to house a host of activities including film screenings, debates on topical issues, exhibitions and workshops.

An inter-faith chapel and a European 'citizens' advice bureau' is also planned in the centre so people can learn about European institutions and resources.

Despite the cautious response, Mr Ungar is optimistic the idea will succeed. He said: "For too long Oxford's citizens have felt alienated from the culture of the university, left ignorant of its intellectual relations with European thought and deprived of benefits that ought to be shared and enjoyed by everyone.

"We believe we can promote a true dialogue. Without this, Oxford would not be a true city, but rather remain two estranged communities -- town and gown -- worlds apart.

"We want the university members to come here, but also the people who don't have a formal education behind them, to share their thoughts on life and society."

It is hoped combined bids to the Heritage Lottery Fund will raise much of the money needed.