Lamb & Flag pub in Oxford 'will reopen next month'

The pub in St Giles, owned by St John’s College, closed suddenly at the beginning of last year after its takings fell during the pandemic.

But a community interest group called the Inklings then stepped in to take over the pub and renovations have been taking place.

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The group’s organisers had hoped the pub would be ready to reopen this summer, but the opening date has repeatedly been postponed as renovation work has taken longer than expected.

Dave Norwood, who helps to run the community interest group, said last month the team was aiming for September 1.

He said the date ‘would be a challenge’ but added that the whole team was now working towards it.

Now he believes September 1 may be too ambitious a deadline, but is still hopeful the pub will reopen next month.

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Oxford University students return for the new academic year from the end of September, so the Inklings will be hoping to open in time for their arrival.

Mr Norwood said earlier: “The renovation work required to make the pub fit for 2022 and beyond was more extensive than we initially expected, and we have learned more along the way.

“Everyone agrees that the toilets are a transformation, but we are still grappling with the kitchen and extraction, the electrics,

“Due to the Grade II listing of the pub, and its historical significance as an Oxford landmark, some of these improvements inevitably require listed building consent.

“The protections are especially high, given the pub is within the Central Oxford Conservation Area.”

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The city council has been helping and guiding the community group with renovation work.

Dave Richardson, of the Oxford branch of real ale group CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), has welcomed the plans to reopen.

He said earlier: “We are sure the Lamb & Flag will regain its place as one of Oxford’s top pubs serving local beers.”

The community group has pledged that once the pub reopens it ‘will never close’.

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

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Famous visitors have included CS Lewis and Thomas Hardy, former US President Bill Clinton and Tony Blair.

The Inklings were a literary group featuring fantasy writers CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien.

They would sometimes meet in the Eagle and Child pub, also in St Giles.

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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF