NEW plans to regenerate Oxford’s Little Clarendon Street would retain the facade of a landmark Victorian building, which had been threatened with demolition.

Developers had originally wanted to demolish the shop, right, on the corner of Walton Street and Little Clarendon Street, famous for its Lumley’s Tea advertisement on the front of the building. The £15m scheme to create shops and student accommodation was rejected by Oxford City Council earlier in the year following objections from residents and historians.

But Shirehall Properties has resubmitted a scheme which it says would retain the ‘Lumley’s Tea’ building, dating from the mid 19th century.

A planning application, submitted to Oxford City Council, proposes the creation of six new shops and student accommodation.

The plans would still involve the demolition of 126 Walton Street and 32/32a Little Clarendon Street, with 123, 125 and 127 Walton Street refurbished.