A name change for an Oxford hostelry proved controversial when new operators took over earlier this year.

But the Slow and Steady, in Abingdon Road, has been a big success since reopening and it is the Oxford Mail Pub of the Week.

In May, social enterprise and craft brewery Tap Social Movement pulled out of running The White House in Abingdon Road after three years, handing over to another independent Oxford-based operator, Dodo Pub Co, which has leased it from Brasenose College.

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While the Oxford branch of real ale group CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) welcomed the takeover, its members criticised Dodo's proposal to call the pub The Slow and Steady, named after its architect Henry Hare. 

But members of the CAMRA branch including Dave Richardson and new chairman John Winney were invited along on the opening night and both said they were impressed with the revamp.

David Richardson, a spokesman for the Oxford branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), said: "It looks like Dodo has done a good job reopening this pub, which looks very smart and still has some real ale available although it concentrates on craft keg.

"We would have preferred it to keep its original name, the White House, but Dodo's policy is to rename all its pubs and put its stamp upon them.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) "It's a well respected and innovative local operator, and the best choice to take over after Tap Social decided to pull out."

The pub now has its own pizza oven, and continues to serve Tap Social beers, together with other real ales brewed by local breweries.

New general manager Mike Carne moved from Cheltenham where he was running another Dodo pub. He previously worked in London for celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.

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After the pub reopened Mr Carne said: "Dodo has completely revitalised all the pubs it has taken on.

"We want to be here for the local community. We don't have a target demographic - our target demographic is 'are you thirsty, and are you feeling hungry'.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) "With the cost of living crisis I think the British public have moved away from gastro food, so we will be serving simple food done really well. There are £10 pizzas on the menu."

Beers served include Wiltshire Gold, Little Ox Wipeout, and Yellow Hammer, a cider, together with lagers, and Guinness.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) In the past the pub has been known as The White House, and The Folly Bridge Inn.

As well as designing the pub, Henry Hare was the architect for Oxford Town Hall in St Aldates.

His trademark was including an etching or carving of a hare in every building he designed. He died in 1921.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.