FOR more than a century it has housed Oxford’s political schemers, but soon the city’s Town Hall could actually be someone’s home.

The flat in the 19th century building has been put up for rent as Oxford City Council attempts to make more efficient use of its property.

It was previously used by the Town Hall’s caretaker, who has now retired.

The two-bedroom flat, which has an entrance on Blue Boar Street, is being put on the market as a residential property.

Its imposing wooden front door used to be the entrance to the public library and above it is inscribed “Studies serve for Delight for Ornament and for Abilities”.

The second floor flat itself includes a living room, a bathroom with a separate toilet and a kitchen as well as gas central heating.

It is available unfurnished but the council says it has recently been redecorated and recarpeted.

Beaumont Street estate agents Marriotts is offering a five-year lease for £14,500 a year for the flat – or £1,208 a month – which is next to the Town Hall reference library.

In its advert Marriotts says: “All city centre amenities are within easy walking distance including city centre shops, the bus station and railway station.”

Estate agent Martin Conway said: “It is quite a rare opportunity. Things like this don’t come up very often.”

When it was designed by architect Henry Thomas Hare it was intended to be part of the library complex.

The city council’s conservation plan for the Town Hall says: “The design and decoration of the staircase, lobby and door to the old reference library are of considerable significance in their own right.Hare’s care to carry the design language of the rest of the building through these areas reflects their origin as public space.”

Julia Castle, a surveyor at the city council, said: “We are looking to drive efficiency through the use of our property holdings. We have already sold our offices on Blue Boar Street, generating a capital receipt of over £3m, as well as letting Ramsay House.

“We have identified further space which can be let by efficient use of our St Aldate’s bases which will allow part of the Town Hall to be let.”

The new caretaker will have other accommodation.

HISTORIC BUILDING

THE Grade II-listed Town Hall is the third on the site.

An original Guildhall was built in 1292 and replaced by a new Town Hall in 1752 but this was demolished to make way for the current building.

The foundation stone was laid in 1893 by the Mayor Thomas Lucas and without mention of the first builder – a Mr A Chappell of Lambeth – who was declared bankrupt in October of that year.

Its official opening was on Wednesday, May 12, 1897 by the Prince of Wales – the future Edward VII.

Famous visitors to the Town Hall have included Nelson Mandela and Mikhail Gorbachev.

OTHER QUIRKY PROPERTIES

PERHAPS one of Oxford’s most famous unusual houses is 2 New High Street which has a 25ft shark sticking out of its roof.

Grove House in Iffley, which was built between 1780 and 1832 and has a famous rotunda, was owned by Vivien Greene, the widow of author Graham Greene, and decorated with tiger skin, birdcages and gold leaf.

Meanwhile 23 Church Cowley Road isn’t an unusual house, but it is a funny one – it was home to comedian Ronnie Barker as a child.