IT might be on the architectural equivalent of death row, but that hasn’t stopped a 19th century bookbinding workshop in East Oxford from enjoying a final lease of life.

And the self-styled guerrilla arts centre has now won a ministerial seal of approval.

The former Green Street Bindery is earmarked for demolition in April when the site will be re-developed as flats.

But in its final months, The Old Bookbinders has been transformed into a “village hall for OX4” serving up cakes, comedy and cutting edge pop culture.

And when Minister for Culture Ed Vaizey dropped in for coffee yesterday, he was so impressed he believed the model could be replicated across the country.

Mr Vaizey described the concept as “win, win”.

The Minister added: “It is very Big Society. It brings together different cultural institutions, the community like it, the landlord likes it, and it’s not stopping future development.

Mr Vaizey, who is MP for Wantage, said he wanted to look at the possibility of relaxing rules and regulations to allow more organisations to follow the Old Bookbinders model, and open up derelict or empty buildings for arts use on a short term basis.

He added: “This is a great way of using empty spaces.”

The arts hub idea was dreamt up by East Oxford event company InEvents, whose work includes the Cowley Road Carnival, and the team behind the popular Truck music festival, which takes place in Steventon, near Abingdon, every summer.

InEvents director Ian Nolan said the company had used the warehouse, originally built in 1834, as part of last year’s Ciao Ark environmental project.

He added: “Once that was complete we thought ‘what can we do with this great space?’ So we teamed up with Truck to look at putting on gigs.

The centre opened in January and Mr Nolan said the reaction of the local community had been very positive. “People love it,” he said. “This part of Oxford is a hive of creativity and community activity.”

The Old Bookbinders is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with live music, comedy, theatre, fashion and art.

It will close for good on March 31.

Mr Nolan said the search was already on for the next ‘pop up’ location.

He said: “It has been so well received and has had a huge level of support. We would be mad not to look at doing this again.”

cburatta@oxfordmail.co.uk l Tonight the venue hosts a show by singer-songwriter Sea of Bees. For details visit theoldbookbinders.org