A DERELICT pub site in Cowley could be transformed into a mini supermarket employing 25 people.

The Nuffield Arms, in Littlemore Road, has sat empty since last September, but supermarket chain The Co-operative Food want to revamp the twostorey building.

Plans for the corner site were announced by Co-op representatives to Cowley and Littlemore councillors.

A spokesman for The Co-operative Food said: “The proposed store would serve the immediate area and focus on meeting day-to-day shopping needs by providing customers with high-quality fresh produce at great value.

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“It is expected to create 20 to 25 fulltime and part-time jobs, to be targeted at local residents, and would offer a variety of skills and training programmes.

“Our proposals will bring the site back into use following the decision of the pub’s owners Punch Taverns Plc to close the premises in September 2014.”

Cowley city councillor David Henwood said a planning application for the site was expected to be submitted this week.

He said the supermarket was proposing to occupy the ground floor of the building under an initial 15-year lease agreement with the pub company, which will remain site owner.

They also hope to build a new side extension for deliveries after knocking down the extension on the Bartholomew Road side.

Mr Henwood said the new store was expected to be open from 7am to 11am, with nine deliveries planned each week including Sunday deliveries only after 9am. He added: “I think the consensus amongst councillors is that it’s a positive thing.

“I think it is the most rational and logical use of that space. We are quite excited.

“There’s definitely a different vibe in Cowley than six months ago. There is more investment coming in.”

Mr Henwood said the company was also proposing to have one member of staff who will be allocated four hours each week for community initiatives.

Littlemore Road resident Darren Church said he thought there were already a sufficient number of shops for residents in the area.

The 31-year-old added: “I think it could be better used for something else. I don’t think it makes financial sense.”

Mayfair Road resident Margaret Stevens, 52, said she would have liked to see the site used as a cafe or restaurant but welcomed the plans.

The mother-of-one added: “It would be ideal. If I have forgotten anything, I can walk there.”