Oxford pubs in 2022: Ale campaigners welcome positive signs

But they warned landlords would face tough months ahead in the New Year and urged drinkers to support local pubs.

The Lamb & Flag in St Giles reopened in October after being closed for almost two years.

READ AGAIN: Lamb & Flag finally reopens

Owned by St John's College, the hostelry has been given a new lease of life by community interest group the Inklings.

Another historic pub The Mitre, in High Street, also made a comeback following a lengthy closure.

Italian restaurant chain has now taken over the premises, which is owned by Lincoln College.

However, the Eagle and Child in St Giles still remains closed and St John's College, has pledged to market the lease in the hope that a new pub company will take on the running of the pub.

And The Grapes in George Street, which shut suddenly at the end of last year, still remains closed.

The city council has indicated that there may be parties who are interested in taking on the lease but there has been no news since.

Dave Richardson, of Oxford CAMRA, said: "It's great to see the Lamb & Flag open again and we hope the same will happen to the Grapes, and the Eagle and Child next year.

"The Mitre is now Gusto Italian restaurant, and while it's good to see the building in use again, it's very disappointing that inside there is no mention of its history and all the historic artifacts that used to be there seem to have disappeared."

READ AGAIN: Gusto opens at The Mitre

Mr Richardson added: "Overall, pubs in the Oxford area have come out of the pandemic well with very few permanent closures, whereas associations representing pubs had predicted that around 20% nationally could be lost.

"Pubs in the city centre operate in a kind of bubble sustained by students and the increasing number of tourists, but there is real concern as the bleak months of January and February approach that some pubs in the Oxford suburbs, county towns and villages might find it hard to carry on.

"This is because of rocketing energy costs, staff shortages and a real squeeze on consumer demand.

"It's in the New Year that people should demonstrate support for their local pub, whether they drink alcohol or not - there's a growing range of 'low and no' alcohol drinks available, so Dry January is no excuse.

"For some pubs it really could be a case of use them or lose them."

The campaigner said he was also concerned about the increasing number of breweries falling by the wayside, althought this trend has yet to reach Oxfordshire.

Mr Richardson added: "While there is concern about the long-term future of some local breweries, small start-up operations are thriving and it's the same with pubs - the newly opened Cowshed micro-pub in Abingdon is an example.

"Tap Social's new pop-up pub the Market Tap in the Covered Market is another."

READ AGAIN: Campaigners call for The Grapes to be saved 

Other pubs across the county have opened while some have closed.

The White Hart in Headington won the title Oxford Mail Best Pub 2022.

Chris Meeson and his family celebrated 25 years of running the Masons Arms in Headington, and they marked the occasion with a beer festival in September.

But perhaps the biggest highlight of the year was the opening night of the Lamb & Flag, following such a lengthy closure and a few postponed start dates.

READ MORE: Visit The White Hart in Headington for its delicious pies

Manager Dylan Dudbridge-Hay and wife Alice were delighted to greet drinkers.

Mr Dudridge-Hay said on the night: "We are absolutely delighted the pub has reopened.

"I have spent my career in hospitality, starting at St Aldate's Tavern, and then I moved to Bristol, and joined XT Brewery before working at the Rickety Press and The Up In Arms in Marston.

"Everyone has a story about the Lamb & Flag. It's so ingrained in the Oxford community so this is a little daunting."

Mr Dudbridge-Hay said local breweries have been invited to supply ales.

He added: "We want the pub to be enjoyed by people who enjoyed it before and new people - students, visitors and local residents."

About 5.50pm, Leon Fields, 47, an economist, was the first drinker to be served.

After choosing an XT Brewery pale ale, Animal Hop Kitty, he said: "I'm glad it's back - it's a good community resource."

Nicholas Rees, from Kidlington, who works in the university chemistry department, said he was extremely disappointed when the pub shut.

He added: "I think the college could have done more to keep it open - I hope this community group works."

Howard Anglin, a law student from Canada, added: "I am thrilled the pub is back.

"The community group is taking such care and attention with it."

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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF