One of Oxford's longest-serving landlords hopes for sunshine

He and his family have been running The Plough at The Green for over 25 years and they are now looking forward to better trading conditions following a year of repeated lockdowns.

The hostelry reopened for outdoor drinkers on April 12 and reopened on Wednesday for customers inside after the Government on Monday allowed pubs and restaurants to restart serving drinks and meals inside.

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Mr Bowring said he was hopeful trade would now pick up at the Greene King pub.

Staff outside The Plough in Wolvercote

He added: “We are looking forward to doing lunches this Sunday and we have room for about 50 people inside and over 70 outside - I’ve just got this Victorian awning which goes over about 40 seats outside - it looks good and it works better than umbrellas.

“We have also converted an old Aunt Sally shed into a seating area.

“A lot of people still prefer to sit outside but the bad weather can put people off so we are hoping for some sunshine.”

Staff outside The Plough in Wolvercote in 2020

Mr Bowring runs the pub with his wife Kim and daughter Katie.

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He added: “We are not taking bookings at the moment - we find it easier as we got 40 per cent no shows last year and that was causing us problems.

“We can usually find people a table and then we ask them to give their details using the app or write them down.”

Mr Bowring said staff were keeping fit as there is a lot of walking involved during table service.

He added: “We are looking forward to it getting busier but it’s not as easy as it used to be hiring staff as there aren’t as many students around and some people have taken jobs as delivery drivers.

“We have had quite a few phones calls from people who are planning to visit Oxford from other parts of the country and we also get business from the hotels up the road including Jurys Inn.

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“It’s been a very difficult time but hopefully we are now coming out the other side and a good spell of sunshine will make all the difference.”

Last year Mr Bowring said the repeated lockdowns made it the most difficult time he has faced as a landlord.

Tables outside The Plough

“It’s definitely our toughest time in a quarter of a century,” he said earlier.

“We have taken on more staff because we now need to run the pub in a different way to make sure it is safe with social distancing.

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“I think I’m the longest serving pub landlord in Oxford after arriving here back in the mid-nineties.

The Plough in Wolvercote

“Greene King have been very good, very supportive I can’t fault them - they have discounted the rent.”