A striking photo of staff celebrating at a Rose Hill pub has brought back some happy memories.

The King of Prussia got its original name back in 1996, and the Oxford Mail was there to see staff celebrate outside.

Oxford brewery Morrells decided to turn the clock back and abandoned the name The Ox, as The King of Prussia was the pub's original name in 1816 when it was bought by Mark and James Morrell.

READ MORE: Brewery evacuated after large fire breaks out

And a new King of Prussia sign was unveiled in 1996 after a major refurbishment.

The pub's original name had been changed to the Allied Arms after the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, for the sake of diplomacy.

Then in the mid-1970s the pub was renamed The Ox and later leased to Whitbread.

While staff looked delighted to get the old name back in 1996, the good times would only last a decade.

READ MORE: Peace campaigners hold up their banners 

In 2006, the pub burned to the ground.

Oxford Mail: The fire at the King of PrussiaFirefighters were called to tackle a serious fire but they could not prevent it burning down.

According to the Oxford Drinker, the magazine of Oxford CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), planning permission had already been given for a supermarket on the site and it became a Co-op.

Oxford Mail: Police guard the King of PrussiaFirefighters were called to the Fox and Hounds in Abingdon Road in 2009 but could not prevent serious fire damage.

The shell of the building was finally demolished in 2013 and a Tesco Express opened on the site.

Following the fire a man was arrested on suspicion of arson but later released without charge. 

In 2007 there was a serious thatch fire at The Perch in Binsey Lane.

READ MORE: Crooked House arson brings memories of pub fires 

More than 100 firefighters worked throughout the night after the blaze started just after 4pm at the pub near Port Meadow.

The damage caused was similar to 30 years before when an electrical fault sparked a fire.

Fire investigation officers told the Oxford Mail the cause of the 2007 fire was accidental.

Investigators also ruled out the involvement of animal rights activists, which had initially been suspected.

Despite extensive damage, the pub was returned to its former glory and it remains one of Oxfordshire's most popular riverside pubs.

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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. 

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