A POPULAR Oxford restaurant will go “out with a bang” this summer after being forced to close.

Oxford City Council will next month discuss plans to renovate a building on the corner of Walton Street and Little Clarendon Street.

The plans were already approved by the city council in April 2010, but have been slightly adapted to include more student rooms.

If approved again, it would represent the end for the Big Bang sausage restaurant and two neighbouring independent shops and a bar.

Big Bang owner Max Mason said: “All the rumours are true, we are going to have to close.

“And it is not through choice.

“This will be the death knell for traders in Jericho. It will allow chains and big brands to move in, they are getting rid of the last remaining exciting place in Oxford.”

A planning committee on July 13 will discuss the plans to demolish 126 Walton Street and 32/32a Clarendon Street.

Three properties would also be refurbished, including the ‘Lumley’s Tea’ building, from the mid 19th century.

Mr Mason said: “We will be out by September at the latest. Half of me wants to go out with a bang, as the most talked-about restaurant in Oxford.

“The other half of me wants to dilute it and go somewhere else. I am more worried for the ones who will be left. They will be left with a building site.”

The news also means the end for wine bar Bottega, furniture shop Licious and The Last Bookshop.

Bottega owner Chris Murray said: “We have been told to make this summer a good one because it is going to be our last.”

Mr Murray said they were now looking at a site off Iffley Road.

It is not yet known if the existing businesses will be given first choice in the renovated building, which will include six retail units and 41 student rooms.

Kevin Minns, spokesman for the developers Minns Estates and Shirehall Properties, said: “These buildings are in a very bad way and development is needed.”