A late-night piano bar which opened less than two years ago is set to be rebranded as a sports bar.

Little Sandy's opened in Langdale Court in Witney on the site of the former No 12 Jazz Bar in November 2022.

But this weekend will be the last weekend it will be known by that name.

Owner George Sandbach has sold the venue to Sam Chaloner, former owner of Blind Tiger on Witney High Street.

He will work with him to create the venue and act as a consultant.

In an announcement on Facebook, Little Sandy's said it is changing the "concept totally into what we call 'an English take on the American sports bar'." 

READ MORE: Convicted murderer jailed for life for Wood Farm park killing

They explained: "Whilst we love our concept of piano bars we have to admit that it wasn’t quite right for the town".

Cotswold Journal: Little Sandy's

They added: "Being sports lovers we feel this concept will really thrive in Witney and now with Sam coming in to take control of the site we know he’s going to smash it!"

The announcement of the new bar, which will be called Jackson's, was met with some disappointment on social media.

Little Sandy's replied: "We know an upmarket sports bar isn't for our usual clientele but run well with nice wines and good cocktails they are great.

"Perhaps not the market for the usual Little Sandy's crowd."

All bookings will be contacted about the news and refunds offered where necessary.

Little Sandy's was the second Sandy's branch in the county, with Sandy's Piano Bar on King Edward Street in Oxford already a hit with revellers.

The brand is part of the Oxford Wine Company, an independent wine merchant owned by Ted Sandbach and his sons George, Will and Chris.

The company also runs Oxford Wine Cafe in Jericho and Jukeboxes Duelling Piano Bar in Birmingham and has a pop-up events arm called Sandy's On The Move.

When Little Sandy's opened George Sandbach said: "Knowing a lot of our clientele in Oxford come from Witney we knew the thirst for a great late night live music bar in Witney was needed.

"Witney has such a great food scene and it needed somewhere to complement that.

READ MORE: Philip Breach's family pay tribute to murder victim

"The aim is to bring fun and good drinks to Witney and the surrounding towns and villages.

"We've known Witney our whole lives, and this venue will provide people with a much needed night out."

Before Little Sandy's the site was a cafe bar called Norton's which closed in January 2020 after 26 years being run by the same family.

Before that the bar was known as Rookies and was a cornerstone of Witney nightlife.

Little Sandy's opened within days of Blind Tiger on Witney High Street.