Here are some of the pubs in Oxford drinkers have loved and lost over the years.

In the past, pubs have been demolished for housing, or converted to other uses.

But in more recent years one of the biggest threats was the constant interruption to trade caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

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The historic Lamb & Flag in St Giles closed due to a lack of trade but much to everyone's relief it did eventually reopen.

One of the pubs we have pictured is the former Apollo in St Aldate's, which still features the Morland Brewery plaque.

Oxford Mail:

According to closedpubs.co.uk, which documents lost pubs, it was a lively place to be before it closed in 1993.

One contributor wrote: "The Apollo was a very lively gay pub which closed in around 1993 I think.

"I remember it as full of characters such as the landlord, Derek who often put on drag shows, swinging from a trapeze from the ceiling or arriving in front of the pub bedecked in feather boas on the bonnet of a customers Rolls Royce; all this right in front of the police station.

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"Derek's mother also lived above the pub as I remember.

"The Apollo had a great community vibe and some weekends I remember motorcades of customers driving to The Greyhound club in Slough after closing, only if there was no lock-in in a little room behind the bar."

In 2012, The Cavalier pub in Marston was demolished.

Oxford Mail:

The pub, in Copse Lane was opened in 1956 but was demolished to make way for student flats after standing empty for four years.

It was the first pub to open in the city after the Second World War.

The pub closed in 2008 despite an appeal for support from the landlord, Brian Minns.

A sign was put outside the pub saying: “Pub or flats, your choice – support your local.”

Mr Minns said at the time: “The local population didn’t use it so they lost it, and that was it.

“To me it is just a building of bricks and mortar.

Oxford Mail:

“I was landlord of The Cavalier for five years and I have fond memories of it."

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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.