Oxford's oldest pub The Mitre may not reopen after lockdown

Lincoln College contractors have just completed a two-year project to renovate student rooms above The Mitre pub in High Street.

The ambitious scheme for 64 student rooms, some with ensuite bathrooms, cost £16m and it was expected that the pub would be revamped at the same time.

But Lincoln College has declined to comment on the future of The Mitre, which is leased to Marston’s pub company.

Read again: The Mitre: first look inside following student rooms revamp

Concern over its future follows the closure by St John’s College of The Lamb & Flag pub in St Giles.

Pubs can reopen outdoors on April 12 and are expected to be able to reopen indoors from May 17 under Boris Johnson’s programme to ease coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

The new Turl Street entrance for Lincoln College student flats at The Mitire Picture: Lincoln College

But Marston’s at this stage is refusing to reveal any details about its plans.

A spokeswoman for Marston’s said: “Options in regards to the pub and its reopening are being reviewed.

“I appreciate these are limited details at this stage.”

Dave Richardson, of the Oxford branch of real ale group CAMRA, said: “It’s disappointing to see both the college and Marston’s being non-committal about the reopening of The Mitre, and symptomatic of the very uncertain outlook for pubs and restaurants even when they are permitted to trade.

Dave Richardson of Oxford CAMRA outside the Lamb & Flag Picture: Ed Nix

“We hope that whatever becomes of it, the historical features will remain and there will still be room for a pub where drinkers are welcome, as well as a restaurant.

Read more: Historic pub The Castle reopens following refurbishment

“The Mitre can justly claim to be Oxford’s oldest pub, tracing its history back to the 13th century.

“It used to display a list of landlords going back to 1230, but some of the displays about its history had disappeared even before it closed for the revamp.

“The Mitre’s history needs to be protected and celebrated.”

The Mitre pub closed in 2019 as the student rooms revamp continued.

Mr Richardson added that the threat to city centre pubs was ‘ramping up’.

He added: “We hear that tenants of The Castle on Castle Street are handing back the keys to Hook Norton, but hopefully the brewery will find someone else to run it. It is Hooky’s only pub in Oxford.”

The Castle pub reopens in 2017 following refurbishment

Lincoln College acquired the High Street property in 1475 and as Grade II* and Grade II listed buildings, much of The Mitre is of historical and architectural significance, but it is the pub that is the oldest part of the site.

A student room at The Mitre Picture: Lincoln College

Underneath the pub there lies a network of medieval vaulted cellars from the 13th or 14th century and it is one of the oldest in Oxford.

Other important historical features include the buildings’ 16th and 17th century timber panelling, the stone fireplaces, and the decorative plasterwork.

The Lamb & Flag in St Giles

In January St John’s College announced the Lamb & Flag would close following tough trading conditions causes by coronavirus lockdowns.

Read more: Historic Lamb & Flag in St Giles is to close

The pub, popular with students and real ale drinkers, has existed since 1566, and switched to its current site in 1613.

The Lamb & Flag (Oxford) Limited, a company owned by St John’s College, which operated the pub, announced that ‘after careful consideration, the company will close and cease operations on January 31.’

Following the closure, drinkers from around the globe expressed their dismay and the local branch of CAMRA announced that it would oppose any change of use application to the city council.

St John's College has not ruled out a new business taking over the pub.