OXFORD could get a new conference centre, as more light is shed on the future of a former Cowley workers’ club.

The new centre will be created if Oxford Brookes University completes a deal to buy the Lord Nuffield Club, it is claimed.

Residents launched a petition fearing the Barracks Lane club, which went into administration in 2009, could become a bar or student homes.

The university has declined to end speculation that it is close to buying the club, founded in the 1920s by car magnate Lord Nuffield. But it has now emerged that Brookes wants the club for conference facilities.

City councillor Bob Timbs, a former club member, said he was concerned that residents had organised their petition without knowing the true facts.

Mr Timbs, who represents the Lye Valley ward, said: “The Save the Lord Nuffield Club group believe it would be used for student accommodation. There is no truth in the suggestion.

“I am not involved in discussions on the sale of the site, but I have found that Brookes have made a proposal for this site and that if purchased, it would become a conference centre.

“They are desperate for an off-site conference centre.

“And the university would want to see the club used by the community.”

He told campaign organisers: “Brookes would require the building to be profitable to repay the millions it will pay. I would hope that they would open the bar again for locals to use, and the dance hall could be used for social events and weddings.”

The club unveiled its new £4.5m clubhouse in 2007, but called in the receivers with debts of more than £3m in July 2009.

Local people submitted their own bid to try to save the club as a community facility after it went into administrative receivership.

Brookes declined to elaborate on a previous statement which said: “The Lord Nuffield Club is still in the hands of the Receiver. As is usual in cases of this type, the sale and purchase process is covered by strict confidentiality agreements .

“But whatever the outcome of the sale, the planning restrictions on the site will require some form of community access, similar to the way in which Brookes’ current sports facilities are open for not only staff and students but also community use.”

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