A FORMER strip club with a history of drink, drugs and violence could be turned into flats.

Agents at JRG Architecture say the turbulent history of the former G's Nightclub in Bicester has left a 'significant taint' on its reputation and as a result is turning off prospective retailers.

The strip club-turned-wine bar is through an alleyway off Sheep Street in the secluded Deans Court, where it has sat untouched for more than a year.

The applicants, The Shared Earth Partnership, now want to turn the space into four flats and have submitted plans to Cherwell District Council.

The planning application states: "In the last 18 months it has been advertised for sale or lease, it has not attracted any serious interest.

"The location of the site is secluded, it is only accessed by two alleyways. These are not very salubrious.

"So any credible operators that have seen the site have concluded that there is not sufficient passing footfall to allow the venue to build up a loyal clientele."

G's was, for many years, Bicester's only nightclub, but HMRC wound up the site in December 2016 as it had traded for two years unprofitably with the last few months' takings falling below £2,000 a week – not enough to cover wages.

The planning statement also said the only profitable side of the business was when it became a strip club once a week, but this was not considered viable for more days each week.

Prior to this, the nightclub had a long history with police over concerns about fights and disorder, with the force calling for the council to revoke its licence in September 2012.

Thames Valley Police said figures showed 298 incidents at the club over a seven-year period – the equivalent of almost once a week.

The new planning application goes on: "The history of the site means that it will carry a significant taint in going forward as a retail destination.

"It was a failed nightclub/ strip club with a bad reputation.

"After this business failed, it became a hangout for the homeless and a place to go to take drugs. It then became a drug factory."

It is thought the plans are referencing a 'cannabis factory' found by police in a property in Deans Court in March this year.

Thames Valley Police Bicester team tweeted pictures of the 472 plants seized as part of the operation.

Plans now hope to turn the former nightclub into four flats, made up of two one-bedroom flats and two two-bedroom flats.

The application is specifically seeking 'change of use' approval from retail to residential.

For more details on the plans search 18/01046/F on the Cherwell District Council website.