A landlord has now been hired to run popular city centre pub The Grapes in Oxford which is due to reopen next month.

The hostelry in George Street shut suddenly at the end of 2021 but is now due to reopen within weeks after a London-based pub company stepped in to take it over.

The pub, which dates back to the 1800s, closed in December 2021 after the West Berkshire Brewery running it went into administration, and a note was placed on the door saying it would not be reopening.

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The Grapes will join 16 real ale pubs in and around London including the Lyric in Soho, the Express Tavern at Kew Bridge, the Magdala in Hampstead and the Corner House in Windsor.

According to the Oxford Drinker, the magazine of real ale group CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), the new landlord of The Grapes will be Johnny Roberts, previously assistant manager at Wetherspoon’s Four Candles before moving to the White House in Bladon when it re-opened as a Community-Owned pub.

Oxford Mail:

At both pubs he forged strong links with local breweries, with local and national real ales likely to be offered at the Grapes.

Oxford CAMRA spokesman Dave Richardson said: "Re-opening of a traditional pub on George Street would be a major gain for the real ale scene in the city, following on from re-opening of the Lamb & Flag last October, but with the Eagle and Child still closed.

"Another former real ale venue, the Mitre on High Street, was also long-term closed but is now the Gusto Italian restaurant with no trace remaining of its former identity or history."

The group’s pubs are operated by various companies including Twickenham Green Taverns, and boss Dick Morgan confirmed that the deal had been signed.

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Despite the grimy appearance of the pub after 18 months of closure, he said work to prepare the business would start next week and take about six weeks, with a target of re-opening in August.

The Grapes is expected to have eight hand pumps and up to 25 keg lines, serving mainly independent ales and ciders, and will offer simple pub food.

Oxford Mail:

Some of the pubs in the group are known for their vinyl record collections, adding to the quirky vibe in contrast to the mass market atmosphere of nearest competitors the Wig & Pen (Greene King), O’Neill’s (M&B) and the Four Candles.

City council spokesman Tony Ecclestone confirmed the council as owners of the building had agreed the lease.

He said: "The documents are all agreed and, subject to one minor licensing issue that will take a few weeks to resolve, it is ready to complete."

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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.

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