Lamb & Flag reopening is delayed as new landlord quits

The pub in St Giles, one of the city's oldest, closed in January last year due to adverse trading conditions in the pandemic.

But community interest group the Inklings has taken over the running of the St John's College-owned pub and it was due to reopen this month. 

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Now the relaunch has been postponed, following the sudden resignation of Steve Jones, and the reopening may not take place until Easter.

A well-known figure on the Oxford pub scene and previously manager of the Plough at 38 on Cornmarket, Mr was appointed last autumn as it was announced that a Community Benefit Society, the Inklings, had taken over the lease.

Since then he has been overseeing the revamp of the historic building, which has included the complete overhaul of the cellar, improvements to the kitchen and removal of the bar in the part of the pub fronting St Giles, to create more space for seating.

Inklings board member Dave Norwood said it would probably reopen in time for Easter (mid-April), and it was going ahead with private events for Inklings shareholders during February.

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Asked about Steve Jones’s departure, Mr Norwood said: “It didn’t work out and this was a difficult project to manage.

Members of Oxford CAMRA with Steve Jones Photo: Phil Gammon

"A lot of people were involved on our side and we struggled a bit with how each other worked. We have no hard feelings against Steve and we want him to do well in the future. The Community Benefit model is an unusual beast.”

Mr Jones has told the Oxford branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) that he does not want to comment but is expected to remain in the pub trade.

A regular in the Good Beer Guide and many times winner of the City Pub of the Year award before its closure before Christmas 2020, the Lamb & Flag will again be positioned as a real ale pub with up to six local ales on hand pump, and will have a modest food offering rather than being a food-led pub.

Inklings chair Kate O’Brien wrote to shareholders last week, saying: “Our mission remains to preserve, protect and enjoy the Lamb & Flag whatever happens out there. It’s been a mighty response, and there are now nearly 300 Inklings.

"Despite the challenges of Omicron, we have all been working hard to get the pub ready for the re-opening. Everyone who has dropped by seems to be excited by the renovations. For many the biggest shock will be the toilets. We took on board your advice - don’t change much, but please sort out the toilets.

"We are also really excited about the front room adjoining St Giles.

"The bar has been removed and we will have a lovely Georgian space with more tables. It will also be a super space to hold talks and events.

"We have been giving a lot of thought to the grand opening party, and taking on board advice in the light of new Covid variants. It feels more prudent to hold three smaller events instead, and have much reduced numbers at each.

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“It’s been an enormous amount of work to get to this point, and Covid keeps bringing new challenges. We intend to reopen the pub as soon as possible after the renovations.

"We wanted to thank all Inklings for their support and patience, and for the hard work and dedication of the volunteers.”