A former High Wycombe pub could be transformed into a co-working hub after council planners gave the scheme the green light.

The former Chiltern Taps, opposite the Eden Shopping Centre on Oxford Road, could now be converted into flexible commercial workspace under plans approved by Buckinghamshire Council.

The three-storey building would be internally rearranged to provide a mixture of open-plan working areas and private suites.

Plans submitted by Main Camp Limited say the new layout would allow activity inside the building to remain visible from Oxford Road, avoiding a “dead” frontage in the heart of the town.

The property, at 120–123 Oxford Road, has reportedly stood empty since March 2024 following the collapse of its previous tenancy.

It was previously listed as an Asset of Community Value under the name The William Robert Loosley, but that designation expired in August 2020.

Because pubs are treated as community facilities under planning policy, the applicant had to justify the loss of its former use.

Planning documents claim the property was marketed through four specialist agents between 2023 and 2026 without attracting a viable pub operator or purchaser.

It was offered with a commercial kitchen and manager’s flat and on a “free-of-tie” basis, which would have allowed a new tenant to buy products from suppliers of its choice.

However, the applicant said no unconditional rental offers were received to keep the building operating as a pub.

Despite noting limitations in the submitted marketing evidence, officers concluded that continued operation of the site as a pub was no longer commercially viable or sustainable.

The council also concluded that customers would still have access to a sufficient range of alternative pubs nearby, including The Falcon, The Mad Squirrel Tap & Bottleshop and O’Neill’s.

No objections were submitted against the conversion.

The building has no dedicated parking, but planners said its sustainable town-centre location and access to public transport, services and amenities meant no adverse parking or road-safety impacts were anticipated.

Officers also found that the conversion would not harm the building’s appearance, neighbouring residents or the character of the area.

The application is for a co-working space within Class E, which covers a range of commercial, business and service uses and provides flexibility in how the premises may be occupied.

Buckinghamshire Council granted conditional planning permission under delegated powers on September 8.

The development must begin within three years of the decision.

The plans come amid the continuing decline of pubs nationally, with analysis of government figures showing that 366 pubs in England and Wales were demolished or converted for other uses during 2025—an average of one a day.