DINERS welcomed the conversion of Gee's Victorian Conservatory in Banbury Road, Oxford to a restaurant in August 1983.

The project had the blessing of a Victorian group of the architectural and historical society and the North Oxford Association.

The plan included the original Victorian floor tiles and cash register being retained and the North Oxford Association liked the "sympathetic design" of the 14-table, 80-seater restaurant.

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Its extension would house a bigger kitchen, staff changing room, staff toilet and a food store.

The original kitchen space would be used for a waiting area and bar and a toilet for disabled people would be installed.

The men behind the venture were Jeremy Mogford and John Mahew, proprietors of Browns on Woodstock Road.

Andrew Smith described their scheme to convert Gee's Victorian Conservatory as a "very attractive and imaginative use of a building." Oxford City Council welcomed the plans.