Homes, shops, cafes, bars, a restaurant, theatre, bowling alley and MG car museum are among ideas being touted for the redevelopment of Abingdon's Old Gaol.

The future of the 200-year-old building will move forward next month with an announcement of a planning brief by owners, the Vale of White Horse District Council.

The council says there has been "significant interest".

The Old Gaol - empty for four years since the opening of the leisure and tennis centre - is to be sold to a commercial developer. The council will brief Abingdon Town Council and Oxfordshire County Council on developments.

Both councils were leading partners in the previous, doomed £20m scheme to turn the Old Gaol into an arts complex.

Bob Johnston, the district council executive member responsible for the Old Gaol, said: "There will be a commercial redevelopment of the site funded by the private sector.

"It will not be an unfettered redevelopment, because the site is listed and changes will require the consent of English Heritage.

"It's up to the commercial world to come forward with proposals.

"Any proposals, however, will have to allow public access through the building to the garden and the river front - shops, cafes, restaurants and bars could all meet that requirement.

"Provided they have the resources to complete the job, social entrepreneurs will be considered."

A group called Cog (Community in the Old Gaol) is pressing for public access in collaboration with private developers. Cog cites the example of the successful Oxford Castle redevel- opment.

Cog's chairman Glynne Butt said: "This is a 'now or never' opportunity for Abingdon. Unless we fight now to retain community use of the Old Gaol, the chance will be lost."

Actor Michael Howells has drawn up detailed plans of how the swimming pool could be converted into a theatre.

"It is a clever, inexpensive idea and uses the natural rake from the deep shallow end and the height of the space to make a venue of about 420 seats," he said.

He added that the old police station, which is part of the site, could be used to establish an MG museum and relocate the town museum from the old County Hall.