THE under-threat Maison Blanc bakery in Oxford has been ‘closed for refurbishment’ but the firm refused to reveal when or if it would re-open.

The company’s Burford branch has also closed for refurbishment, according to its representatives who said they would release more information when it was available.

The Woodstock Road cafe has been part of a strategic review of the chain’s trading locations which was undertaken in September.

Company spokesman Shelley Sofier said: “Maison Blanc has confirmed that the Oxford and Burford Maison Blanc stores are currently closed for refurbishment.”

The firm would not provide any details of what the revamp would entail nor would it answer when either of the cafes were due to re-open.

Earlier this year the chain, founded by chef Raymond Blanc in 1981, hired leisure property specialists Davis Coffer Lyons as specialist advisors - the Woodstock Road cafe was one of the restaurants revealed to be at risk of closure during a potential restructure.

No plans for a refurbishment to the building have been registered on the Oxford City Council website.

Davis Coffer Lyons failed to respond to a request for comment.