Oxford pub to no longer be run by vital community group

New tenants are to take over at the Ampleforth Arms in Risinghurst as the community-owned lease comes to an end.

A campaign in 2015 led to the community takeover and the pub reopened in 2017.

Unlike most community-owned pubs in Oxfordshire, the Amp is leased rather than owned outright – in this case, from Heineken-owned Star Pubs and Bars.

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The only other pub following this model in the county is the White Hart in Wolvercote, owned by a private individual.

The group running the Amp still feel there is a future for leasing rather than purchase of a property, but there are downsides too.

Lyn Simms, Tim Lamberstock and Liz Taylor have put their all into rallying the locals to lease the pub and then run it, and fatigue is one reason they are handing over the lease.

“I would urge people to go down the leasing route if that’s an option, to ensure that the pub keeps open,” Ms Simms told the Oxford Drinker, the magazine run by real ale group CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale.

“The group trying to save the Red Lion in Yarnton did their best to buy that pub, but didn’t attract the big investors they needed.”

The Amp was closed for more than three years before they reopened it in 2017, and was closed on and off for several years beforehand as successive tenants failed to make a go of it. Now, however, it’s different.

Mr Lamberstock added: “Leasing is often not considered, but there is minimal outlay involved which is good in hard times. The work we have done here proves that leasing can work, and that pub companies will now consider it.”

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The downsides of leasing include not being in full control, and not being able to source beers and other drinks as a free house – the Amp remains tied to Star.

Another disadvantage is that people investing only a couple of hundred pounds may not be motivated to ensure the pub is a success, whereas if they have invested many thousands, they have more than a financial stake in it.

Most of the community-owned pubs around Oxfordshire and around the country are in rural locations, often the last remaining pub in a village, and that affects funding options.

An urban pub such as the Amp would not be able to get funding from organisations such as the Plunkett Foundation, set up specifically to support rural projects.

Pub companies might be more likely to listen to community approaches to lease pubs now that many councils have become reluctant to allow conversions of pubs to residential or retail use.

Oxford City Council recently refused an application to redevelop the Crown and Thistle in Headington for housing, although the pub has stood derelict for 12 years.

People are now waiting for the council’s decision over the future of the closed Chequers in Headington Quarry, whose private owner wants to use it as a house.

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A farewell event is planned for Thursday, when the new tenants will be introduced.

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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.

The Amp normally sells two real ales at about £4.30 a pint.