A FORMER dance venue left empty for eight months is set to be converted into office space for Oxford University.

Nuffield College wants to change the use of 42-43 Park End Street, which was previously the Warehouse nightclub.

The college said it was part of its plan to transform the area around Frideswide Square in to a new 'social sciences quarter'.

It acquired much of the property there in a deal last year.

The college previously revealed it would not renew leases for the Glee and Wahoo clubs, in neighbouring Hythe Bridge Street, which are also set to become offices.

College bursar Gwilym Hughes said: "This is an exciting first step in our strategy to cluster the university's social sciences around the college and the West End.

"There is some amazing work being done. We are world-leaders in social sciences so we are pleased to be able to help.

"We would like to get the departments all under one roof, as they are all a bit scattered at the moment.

"When we stripped these buildings back we found they were flexible, open spaces that will work quite well as offices."

Work has started and it is hoped the conversions could be finished by early next year, Mr Hughes said.

The college has lodged plans for its change of use with Oxford City Council.

Mr Hughes said there were currently no plans to activate break clauses of leases on other buildings currently occupied by nightclubs.

"Our vision for the quarter is predominantly one of work, but we have no further plans at the moment."

Ronan Munro, editor of Oxford's long-running Nightshift magazine, said the loss of Warehouse and other nightclubs was unlikely to be felt keenly as "the world has changed".

He added: "The drinking culture has changed a lot in recent years and fewer people are going to nightclubs in the way they used to.

"Even if you look at the O2, they do not have the nightclub they used to on Fridays and Saturdays, because people are doing more bar crawls instead.

"I don't think the traditional nightclub is needed as much any more. You have also got a lot of people who would rather go to a music festival than be out clubbing every weekend."

Nuffield College acquired two parcels of land, including several buildings, in a deal with Christ Church in July 2015.

This included buildings to the south of Frideswide Square, such as the Jam Factory and Dosa Park, as well as those bordered by Hythe Bridge Street and Park End Street.

A new masterplan for the area is set to be devised and Mr Hughes said Nuffield College expected to reveal its vision early next year.

Along with the overhaul of the Westgate Shopping Centre, the Oxpens and Oxford Station, the scheme is as key to wider regeneration of the city's West End.