THIS is the first look at plans to transform the 800-year-old Bargate into a café and late night bar.

The historic monument will undergo a £75,000 refurbishment next year if funding can be secured.

The Daily Echo first revealed that council bosses were considering the plan back in June.

Under plans created by the local arts organisation A Space, the ancient gateway will once again become a focal point for Southampton.

The main chamber above the archway would be split between an art gallery and a new Heritage Café that serves hot drinks from 10am to 6pm.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, the Bargate will remain open until 10pm as a bar licensed to sell beer, wine and spirits.

Daniel Crow, director of A Space, said the unique venue could host performances by acoustic musicians and theatre groups.

“This is going to help diversify the culture of the city away from the high street pubs. The Bargate is a source of civic pride and it could be tourist’s dream,” he said.

The plans also include displaying artefacts from the city’s archives, providing additional outdoor seating and reopening the roof to guided tours.

The ground floor chambers would also be redeveloped, with one possible use being a new tourist information centre.

A Space, which already leases the building as a gallery to showcase local talent, is working in partnership with Southampton City Council on the project.

Cllr John Hannides, cabinet member for leisure, culture and heritage, said it was vital that any development respected the building’s rich heritage.

For centuries the Bargate was the main gateway to the city and was used to collect taxes, hold prisoners and even carry out executions.

Mr Crow said the organisation was in talks with English Heritage and said any changes would be reversible.

A bid for funding will be submitted to the City Council and the landfill communities fund, SITA, later this month.

The grants will be announced in March and, if successful, the Bargate refurbishment could be completed as early as next summer.

Mr Crow is also in talks with Southampton-based fair trade coffee merchants Mozzo about the Bargate becoming the firm’s first branded café.

It will create three new jobs and all profits from the café will be reinvested back into A Space to fund new cultural activities.

Since reopening the Bargate in 2006, A Space has welcomed more than 70,000 visitors and it’s anticipated the Heritage Café could attract 10,000 extra visitors each year.

“We want to build on the success we have had to date and to create a sustainable monument for the future,” Mr Crow said.