A FORMER museum in Oxford’s Town Hall in St Aldates has been turned into a space for arts and cultural events.

The new venue is the first stage in a three-year plan to refurbish the former Museum of Oxford.

Oxford City Council is staging shows from Dancin’ Oxford, Oxford Playhouse, Flintlock Theatre productions, Ashmolean pre-Live Friday events and live music from Oxford Contemporary Music.

Ceri Gorton, cultural development manager, said the three-year programme will cost £1.3m with a fundraising campaign set for the museum’s 40th anniversary in 2015.

The museum was redeveloped with Heritage Lottery Fund cash.

Former Town Hall offices became the Explore Oxford galleries.