The Mitre pub in Oxford could become an Italian restaurant run by the Gusto chain.
The pub in High Street - thought to be the city's oldest - is owned by Lincoln College and has been closed since 2019.
Earlier this year Dave Richardson, of the Oxford branch of real ale group CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), said it was becoming an eyesore.
Read again: The Mitre pub is now an eyesore
The pub company has the lease for the pub, and a planning application for the Gusto chain has bow been submitted to the city council to convert the pub's interior into a restaurant, with Gusto chains outside.
Lincoln College wouldn't comment on the plans but the change from historic pub to restaurant will not please everyone.
Tour guide Rob Walters told CAMRA's Oxford Drinker magazine that the building’s heritage was not being respected as only diners would be allowed to enjoy it.
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The Mitre has a 13th century cellar and used to display a list of landlords dating back to 1230, although the building today dates from the 17th century.
Mr Walters said: "As a badged city guide in Oxford for many years and as a keen pub goer I have started many a pub tour from The Mitre.
“So, not surprisingly, I am appalled and saddened to hear that this Oxford establishment may become an Italian restaurant. I can hardly believe that the owners would countenance such a change to what is the oldest pub in our city."
Mr Walters added: "The Mitre is a very special place. There’s its wonderful vaulted cellar room, formerly a jazz hang-out, its two-tier beer cellar with hints of the famous tunnel that linked it across the High Street to the Chequers, the reports of monks chanting who apparently died in that sealed tunnel, the ghost of Mrs Lazenby who died of fright when threatened by anti-Catholic scholars, the priest’s hole beside the cellar staircase, and more.
"Tell that to someone scoffing an Italian meal."
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The planning application says: "Proposed internal ground and first floor alterations including refurbishment of WCs; removal of existing and installation of new internal partitions, screens and doors; changes to floor, wall and ceiling finishes; redecoration works; new mechanical and electrical services.
"Proposed external works including redecoration works; new illuminated and non-illuminated signage; removal of existing signage."
Mr Richardson said plans indicated there would be a bar but that did not necessarily mean you would be welcome just for a drink.
When the pub closed in 2019, Lincoln College spent millions revamping student rooms above the pub.
The planning application has already started to attract comments.
Graham Appleby, who lives near Abingdon, said: "The thought of this building reputed to be the oldest pub in Oxford being turned into an Italian restaurant fills me with horror!
"Not only would it rob locals and visitors alike of another social drinking venue the change of use would probably mean losing the characters of the building forever. Please give the opportunity for this wonderful site to once again thrive as a public house."
Gusto has branches across the country. A number of branches closed during the pandemic.
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