A NEW wine bar could open in Summertown.

Oxfordshire Drinks Limited wants to turn a retail unit at Prama House, in Banbury Road, into a bar with a wine tasting room at the back of the building.

The company, which is based in Witney, has submitted an application to Oxford City Council, the planning authority.

The unit was previously occupied by Laura Ashley and is currently home to a Forces Support charity shop on a temporary basis.

If the application is approved, the charity would need to find new premises but declined to comment on the plans at this time.

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A statement, prepared by planning consultants Strutt & Parker on behalf of the applicant, said: “The proposal retains the privacy and quality of life of neighbours, meets all the technical standards required for a development of this nature, and provides a new and beneficial community asset as a social and leisure space for Summertown residents and the city as a whole, where there is currently a lack of attractive and high quality drinking establishments.

“The proposal creates a new social facility aligned with an identified community need; it would not result in the loss of any particular valued facilities; and would allow an existing small independent Summertown business to diversify, grow and expand its offering for the benefit of Summertown residents.”

The council is expected to make a decision on the plans next month.

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

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