By Sam Adams

OUR new launch at The Oxford Blue will be the first Pizza, Pots & Pints destination in Oxford.

It took us a while to find the right site, but we’ve definitely found it on Marston Street, because East Oxford has got a great spirit and vibe.

What Pizza, Pots & Pints is all about is the local community, so we actively look for pubs that have a real connection to residents nearby, and are located just away from the hustle and bustle of the wider town.

What I love about my role is the journey of bringing something to life, and getting the whole team as well as the community involved in the transformation.

I’m incredibly passionate about real ale, craft lager and food and always knew I wanted to work within the food and drink hospitality industry.

I joined Charles Wells, which owns the Pizza, Pots & Pints managed-pub concept, back in 2015.

And now I’m helping to take The Oxford Blue, which is in a fantastic location just off Iffley Road near to the running track where Roger Bannister completed the first four-minute mile, back to its roots in the days when it was known as The Swan Inn.

We’ve stripped back the walls, and moved the kitchen and the cellar to really open up the pub and give it a much larger, open-space feel.

It was a challenge dealing with all the building works, skips and deliveries during the refurb as the pub is situated on a side street, but we’re so grateful to our neighbours who have been extremely supportive and understanding throughout.

We got there in the end. I think they’re just pleased that such a great pub is being given another lease of life.

We serve freshly made pizzas and terracotta one-pots meals.

Let’s just say I have quite a few favourite dishes that I’d recommend, but if I had to choose one (which is not an easy task) I would say the ‘Lardo’ pizza is the must-try. It’s absolutely incredible with prosciutto ham, mozzarella, egg and spinach.

To wash it down, we’ll be serving an excellent selection of Charles Wells’ beers, including a limited-edition artisanal beer from The Wandering Brewer Project which will change monthly.

Currently it’s our keg brew from Charles Wells’ collaboration with London brewery Fourpure called Rucksack Pale Ale which is crisp and very refreshing with spicy and citrus notes.

The Wandering Brewer Project partners us with craft breweries across the UK to create small-batch keg and cask beers.

The Oxford Blue is one of a few Charles Wells pubs that will be taking part.

We’ve got a great team of staff here, all are passionate foodies and we are all looking forward to welcoming local residents and visitors alike through our doors!

TRY IT

The Oxford Blue,

32 Marston Street, Oxford

OX4 1JU

01865 953282 oxfordblue.co.uk