IT HAS played host to festivals, underground restaurants and gigs, but it is finally time for the Old Bookbinders to close its doors.

The former factory, off Cowley Road, in Green Street, Oxford, was built in 1834 but had stood empty for years.

It’s had its final swansong as a community centre over the past few months, but the venue will close for good next weekend before demolition next month. The site will be used for flats.

But the Old Bookbinders’ final chapter will end in style with a 1920s themed “prohibition party” on Saturday featuring music from local bands including The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band and the Long Insiders.

The farewell party is being organised by East Oxford event company INevents, whose work includes the Cowley Road Carnival, and the team behind the Truck music festival, which takes place in Steventon, near Abingdon, every summer.

INevents director Ian Nolan said: “INevents has been privileged to have The Old Book Binders for the past year and are proud to have seen it become a space truly at the heart of the community.

“Sadly, we now have to move on but we are not leaving The Old Book Binders behind.

“INevents is now actively seeking another unused and forgotten space which can be put to use by the community and where we can open our doors again.”

He added: “In the mean time, our many thanks to all the artists, promoters, acrobats, musicians, and the 4,200 who have passed through our doors since Christmas.”

The space was hailed as a success by visiting councillors and MPs over the past few months.

Elise Benjamin, ward councillor for Iffley Fields, said: “The Old Bookbinders is a wonderful example of the community spirit and talent of East Oxford, and proof that there is a desire for more community space in the area.”

And Minister for Culture Ed Vaizey even dropped by for a coffee last month and said he was impressed with the venture.

He said: “It brings together different cultural institutions, the community like it, the landlord likes it, and its not stopping future development.”

He added: “This is a great way of using empty spaces.”

Tickets to the closing party cost £10 from theoldbookbinders.org