THE OFS Studio in Oxford is to be refurbished, thanks to a £2.3m grant to help the homeless.

The arts and leisure complex between Gloucester Green and George Street, formerly known as the Old Fire Station, is to house a new centre providing performance classes for homeless people - potentially replacing the current nightclub.

The OFS will retain its 170-seat theatre and gallery, but much of the rest of the building will be transformed, with homeless people having a say in its design.

Patrick Murray, the city council's housing improvement portfolio holder who was himself once homeless, said: "This proved to be the top bid in the entire country. It is something to be proud of.

"Rather than being a place where the homeless can have a cup of tea and a fag, this will be about getting people back into mainstream society.

"Having been homeless, I know the real killer is lack of opportunity. I was very lucky in that I was only on the streets for three or four months, but people who are on the streets for longer are at risk of falling into some of the dangers.

"This will give homeless people a place to come and give them back some social interaction in a safe environment."

The future of the OFS nightclub, dance studio and other offices will be decided after consultation.

The new-look building will include a Crisis Skylight Centre, which will provide creative workshops and training for homeless people and those at risk of losing their homes.

The Skylight in London attracts about 100 people a day.

The project has been made possible thanks to a grant to the city council from the Places for Change Programme.

In its bid for the grant, the city council said the project would tackle "Oxford's persistent rough sleeping problem".

And the council bid promised the Old Fire Station could become "a springboard for Oxford's most marginalised, particularly those currently or at risk of rough sleeping".

The Cardboard Citizens, a drama group for the homeless, is expected to be involved in putting on performances with university volunteers also expected to be involved.

Mr Murray said the new centre would offer workshops on healthy living, computers and cultural opportunities.

He hoped it could build on work already being undertaken with the homeless by arts organisations.

He added: "Homelessness can happen to anyone and you need all the help you can get to get back on your feet."

Designs are expected to be drawn up early next year, with work expected to begin in September, 2009.