A popular late night cocktail bar could be partly turned into flats.

The owner of The House bar in Wheatsheaf Yard, off High Street in Oxford, has applied for planning permission to transform the first and second floor of the bar into four one-bedroom flats.

The ground floor will remain a bar, according to the change of use application now being considered by the city council.

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If the application is approved, it is likely to disappoint customers who have been turning up for late-night cocktails since 2009.

The website for The House says: "A buzzing young bar in central Oxford with its own games room, private terrace with Philippe Starck sofas and a seriously well thought out cocktail list.

"The House is an intimate yet lively venue.

Oxford Mail: "The bar has attracted plenty of attention since it opened in early 2009, gracing the pages of Vogue, as a fashion shoot location and featuring in Elle magazine's Top 25 Bars 2010."

The application has been made by Glen de Unger through his agent Riach Architects.

It says: "This application seeks permission for the conversion of the first and second floors of 11 Blue Boar Street into four one-bedroom flats.

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"This includes interior remodelling, new glazing to the side and rear elevations, and a new bicycle and bin storage area.

"The proposal will have minimal effect on the character of building and will enhance its contribution to the conservation area.

Oxford Mail: A staff party at The House"Considering the proposal will preserve the established use of the building but will also create a more efficient use of this site by providing more accommodation in the city centre, it is hoped that the submitted scheme can be fully supported."

The application adds: "A bar will be retained on the ground floor to maintain the current use of the building alongside the proposed flats."

The House has late opening hours. You can drink there Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday from 5pm to midnight, on Thursday and Friday from 5pm to 1am, and on Saturday from 4pm to 1am.

The venue is close to the Wheatsheaf pub.

Oxford Mail: A DJ at The HouseThe Wheatsheaf’s live music venue upstairs closed in 2021, despite a campaign to save it.

READ MORE: Neighbours shocked after car ploughs into house 

It was considered by many as the last grassroots venue in the city centre after The Cellar, off Cornmarket, closed in 2019.

The Cellar was forced to close after a massive rent hike by its landlords, St Michael’s and All Saints’ Charities.

More than 2,000 music fans did rally around trying to save the venue and a crowdfunding initiative was backed by Oxford bands Radiohead and Ride and Foals which raised more than £92,000.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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