YOU could be forgiven for thinking you had walked into a bar in Paris or Madrid . . . but The Kings Head pub, in Fritwell, is pulling in the punters with an unusual cash incentive – the chance to spend euros.

Landlord Gregor Stevenson hopes the option will stimulate trade and help customers who are just back from holidays or business trips.

And the 45-year-old is offering a great exchange rate.

He said: “Everybody who’s been to the continent in the past year has probably got some euros sitting in their drawer.

“They can’t do anything with the money and everybody is feeling the pinch, so why not come down and have a night out?

“I’m accepting euro notes and giving change in sterling because I can exchange notes, but I can’t exchange coins.”

Last week the 18th-century pub in East Street cashed €90 for £73, while customers have spent €200 since the start of the initiative two weeks ago.

At the current exchange rate, a £2.80 pint of beer costs €3.15, while a £15 bottle of wine costs €16.88.

Conversely, €10 is worth £8.89.

However, Mr Stevenson is offering a one-for-one swap – €1 for £1.

He said regulars at the pub had given the idea the thumbs up during a late-night discussion at the bar.

He said: “The next day I put a sign up behind the bar saying: “Spend your euros”. Everyone thought it was a great idea.

“Business is up and down like most pubs. It would be wrong to say it’s hunky-dory, so any idea to attract customers is welcome.

“I like UK pounds and pence and measuring out English pints, but we are offering something a bit different and our customers are getting good value.

“I haven’t known any other pub doing the same thing, not in Oxfordshire anyway.

“It’s a bit of a laugh and if it’s successful, I will keep running it.”

Mr Stevenson, who has been landlord of the Kings Head for six-and-a-half years, last visited the Continent ten years ago.

He said: “I’m not a Europhobe, but running a pub is almost a 24/7 vocation.”

Pensioner Tony Walsh, 72, from Kings Sutton, visits the pub twice a week.

He said: “I think it’s a super idea. Hopefully it will drum up a bit of trade.

“Everybody has got euros stuffed away. I visit Europe three or four times a year. I go so often I actually like to keep hold of my euros, but I still think it’s a good idea.”