An Oxford University college said it had no other viable option after it applied to replace the existing Oxfam shop with a new academic space for students.

The Oxfam bookshop at St Giles has been running since 1987 and was officially opened by Sir John Mortimer.

Regents Park College has submitted a change of use application to convert the bookshop into a Middle Common Room, (MCR) which is a community space for graduate students to socialise and study.

When contacted for comment, Regents Park College confirmed that the lease for 56 St Giles has come to an end.

A spokesperson added: “The college is seeking to bring the building back into educational use in order to support its expanded postgraduate community.

“The timing of any change in occupancy will be managed in line with the lease terms and the planning process.

“Our focus is on ensuring that, subject to planning permission, the building can be repurposed for a fit-for-purpose Middle Common Room for postgraduate, mature and ministerial students, whose current facilities are not suitable for a community of their size.”

Labour councillor Susanna Pressel, who represents Jericho & Osney, previously said she was “shocked” to hear that the Oxfam could be leaving.

She added: “Far too much of that street is already made up of institutional buildings.

“The thousands of people who walk up and down there every day need interesting premises to look at, like shops, cafes and pubs, not yet another dead frontage.

“I know Regents Park College is short of space, but that is not a good place for a student common room.

“St John’s College has lots of property very nearby: perhaps they could let out something to Regents Park College.”

A spokesperson for the college added: “We recognise that the bookshop is valued by many people.

“The college is a charity and has a responsibility to ensure that its limited estate is used to support students and educational purposes, particularly where existing facilities no longer meet requirements.

“The college has explored options, and 56 St Giles represents the only viable opportunity within our estate to provide a space of sufficient size for our postgraduate community.

“The current MCR is located in a basement, is too small, and is accessed only by a narrow staircase.

“This project would represent a significant investment in the ability of our postgraduate students to participate fully in college life.”

Oxfam said that they had no immediate plans to move, and that they would await the outcome of the planning application.

The college said it would not comment on the affairs of its tenants.

In 2008, a rare copy of Graham Greene’s ‘Rumour of Nightfall’ was found in a box of donated books in the store by volunteer Andrew Chapman, and went on to fetch £15,000 at auction.

Oxford City Council will decide whether or not to approve the application (reference number: 26/00282/FUL) in due course.