A pub in Oxford is reopening following an extensive refurbishment.

The Gardeners Arms in North Parade has been closed since November last year when long-serving landlords David and Jenny Rhymes retired.

A £300,000 refurbishment has now been completed and it is reopening at 5pm tonight.

The pub owned by Greene King is now being run by the Morgan Pub Collective.

READ MORE: Council refuses to open LTN

Jade Harrison, who has been working at The Grapes in George Street, is the new manager.

Oxford Mail: Jade Harrison pours a pintShe said: "We're really looking forward to serving customers at The Gardeners Arms."

James Morgan said the Morgan Pub Collective is now running 18 pubs in London and the South  East.

He added: "We have worked closely with Greene King on a couple of pubs.

"The Gardeners Arms needed a lot of work and up to £300,000 has been invested.

"It's a good opportunity for a wet-led pub with a good range of independent beers.

Oxford Mail: The Gardeners Arms in Oxford"There will be six cask ales and 51 gins - CAMRA members will get 10 per cent off.

"It's going well in Oxford - we have just had our busiest week so far at The Grapes."

READ MORE: See inside newly reopened village pub 

The Morgan pub company is well-known in the London area for real ales, a traditional pub atmosphere and some quirky features, including playing vinyl records.

A spokesman for the pub said: “The Gardeners Arms will have six cask hand pumps pouring an ever-changing range of independent beer.

"We’ll also have 10 keg lines and a well-stocked fridge with some Belgian classics and more modern offerings.

"We will be offering all of our cask ales for only £3.50 all day, every Monday, and will be introducing a stamp card with every 10th pint on us.

Oxford Mail: Inside The Gardeners Arms“The pub has newly installed wood panelling throughout, a brand new bar front and back bar, as well as new furniture and flooring. 

"The food offering at the pub will be in the form of bar snacks with pies, sausage rolls etc.”

As part of the refurbishment the pub's kitchen was removed and there are 50 seats inside and 14 outside.

There is staff accommodation upstairs.

The Morgan company's website states: "The Morgan Pub Collective is all about great beer, tasty food and good old fashioned hospitality. 

"With pubs across London and the South West and a varied portfolio from the traditional to the contemporary, there is something for everyone."

Dave Richardson, of Oxford CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), has welcomed the reopening of The Gardeners Arms.

Oxford Mail: Inside The Gardeners ArmsHe said: "This is very good news for beer drinkers as it seems the pub will be a free house with no restrictions on whose beer it sells, although it is owned by Greene King.

“We have been impressed with how Morgan pub company has been running the Grapes, which reopened in August, and wish it the same success at The Gardeners.

“This brings a welcome increase in choice to the North Oxford beer scene at a time when some pubs have been cutting back.”

Help support trusted local news 

Sign up for a digital subscription now: oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe 

As a digital subscriber you will get: 

  • Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website 
  • Advert-light access 
  • Reader rewards 
  • Full access to our app 

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.