Thousands of people are set to benefit from plans to open a 'one-stop shop' for council services in Cowley.

Oxford City Council wants to offer people as many services as possible under one roof and is hoping to use the Cowley centre as a template for similar one-stop shops in other parts of the city.

Deputy leader David Rundle said: "What we want to do is set something up as quickly as possible, because we think it's important to provide the service.

"We have a site in Templars Square and we're looking at going into the empty unit next to Barclays Bank in the short term.

"We have had long negotiations with the developers who are planning to redevelop the old post office site, in Barns Road.

"When they have got planning permission, and done the work there, that will be its eventual home."

Mr Rundle said the one-stop shop would initially offer all city council services, such as benefits, housing, and council tax.

But it was hoped other organisations, such as Oxfordshire County Council and the Oxford Credit Union, would eventually be based in the same place.

Preliminary discussions have already been held with the county council.

Mr Rundle added: "In the first instance, what we're looking at is providing the range of services of the city council and then we will look at bringing in a whole range of partners.

"There is the main centre in St Aldate's and the East Oxford shop, in Bullingdon Road, but that's much smaller. We see this as a pilot that will serve potentially thousands of people in the south-east of the city."

He said Cowley was also accessible for people from Blackbird Leys and Rose Hill - and earlier consultation had suggested it could be a good location for a one-stop shop.

Mr Rundle added: "I think it demonstrates our commitment to bring our services as close to people as possible - there are already lots of ways of getting in touch with us, but some people still prefer to do things face to face."

A report on the planned one-stop shop will go to the council's executive board on Monday, November 5. If agreed, the plan would be to start work on site from the end of next month.

The new centre could be open in the first few months of next year.