THE owners of an Oxford nightclub are lining up a new tenant to replace the Purple Turtle.

Oxford Union, the landlords of the building in Frewin Court about to be vacated by the long-standing student club, said it will be announcing a new occupant 'in the coming weeks.'

Managers of the Purple Turtle announced on Monday that they had been unable to secure a new lease for the building and were being forced out by November 30.

The venue has cancelled all events, including its New Years Eve party, after November 24 and are now looking for a new home.

READ AGAIN: PT's shock announcement 

In its first public statement since the news broke, a spokeswoman for the union said: "The Oxford Union and our tenant The Purple Turtle were unable to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement on a new lease, with the prior twenty year lease having expired in September 2018.

"We are looking forward to announcing our new tenant in the coming weeks - watch this space for an exciting announcement, which we are sure will please clubbers from the University and Oxford more broadly."

Punters have been left 'heartbroken' by the news that the venue will close imminently and have taken to Facebook to share their memories of nights-out.

A petition calling for the club to remain open has been started on change.org and had 725 signatures yesterday afternoon.