A PUB that has opened under new management will be offering takeaway food, coffee and essential items during lockdown.

The Red Lion Pub in Islip, near Bicester, opened on Monday instead of today - its original launch date - allowing people to quickly get a chance to dine in before the country went into lockdown.

Serving traditional pub food, the new owners want it to become a community hub for Islip and the surrounding area.

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One of the managers, Angelique, said: "We got the keys to the pub on September 30 and spent a month refurbishing the site. We were going to launch on November 5, but then the lockdown announcement was made.

"So we opened three days before planned to allow people to have a last chance to safely socialise."

Oxford Mail:

The pub on High Street is also home to a coffee shop in its main garden which the team opened last month.

Angelique said: "We decided to open it because there's been nothing like this in the area for so long. People really loved it and were meeting up for coffee while social distancing in the garden.

"It was lovely to see people sat together chatting. We kept that open during the rest of the pub refurbishment."

During lockdown, coffee will be on offer to takeaway from 9am to 1pm and 3pm to 7pm at the pub.

The team have placed an emphasis on bringing customers services and food that they want.

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Before opening the pub, Angelique used social media to ask residents what they would like to see

After listening to suggestions from the public, the pub is also home to an indoor cinema which will have table service, a sports bar with pool, table football and a darts board.

All food is made using locally sourced produce from small businesses around the area.

Oxford Mail:

Angelique added: "We wanted to make sure that we included the things that people really want their local pub to offer. We're really trying to be the heart of the community and we hope to have a great Christmas once lockdown is over."

The pub is open for takeaway during lockdown and is also doing a special delivery service for anyone within a five-mile radius who is struggling to make it to the shops for essential household items.

To order takeaway call 01865 507700 and for more information email info@redlionpubislip.com.