Pubs down the hatch

HALF-MAST: CENTURIES-OLD ENGLISH INN SURRENDERS TO LOCKDOWN

‘Inevitable there will be some closures’, with small establishments most at risk.

The faded sign of the Lamb & Flag swung in the wind as staff removed barrels from one of Oxford’s oldest pubs, which has closed permanently. As the 16th-century inn wound up its operations, Oxford landlords warned of the “devastating” impact of England’s national lockdowns on the university city’s cosy pubs.

Many were frequented by writers such as JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis and the fictional detective Inspector Morse, while they rely on student trade, social drinkers and tourists.

But like other English pubs, they have faced bans and restrictions since March last year and can currently only open for food delivery or takeaway.

“I know several publicans who have said, ‘enough’s enough, we cannot continue’,” Mark “Baz” Butcher, landlord of the White Hart in Wytham on the outskirts of Oxford, said.

“I think it’s inevitable there will be some closures”, with small traditional pubs most at risk, added Dave Richardson, spokesman for the local branch of the Campaign for Real Ale.

In January, St John’s College, a massively wealthy landowner, said the Lamb & Flag which it owns, was not financially viable and its staff would be made redundant.

The college, part of the University of Oxford, said that as a registered charity, it could not run a loss-making business.

Richardson said he was aware of interest in taking over the pub, including from local landlords.

Nevertheless, big breweries and hospitality chains are most likely to sell off traditional smaller, mainly drinks-led pubs, like the Lamb & Flag, he said.

These have struggled to comply with restrictions, particularly in December when they were ordered to only serve alcohol with “substantial meals”.

Pubs have been “blamed out of all proportion to the risk they pose”, argued Richardson, urging the government to provide sector-specific support.

Oxford’s high property prices also make pubs attractive for redevelopment.

Across the street from the Lamb & Flag, the Eagle and Child pub, where Tolkien and Lewis attended the Inklings literary discussion group, is closed for refurbishment.

The building, which will include a new hotel, is also owned by St John’s.

In the White Horse pub on nearby Broad Street, landlady Jacqueline Paphitis said the lack of the usual buzz and smell of booze was strange.

With wood wormed beams and a panoramic view of the Sheldonian theatre and its famous stone heads of emperors, the 16th-century pub is a magnet for film crews.

On its walls are photos of actors, including John Thaw, who played Morse in the British television series based on Colin Dexter’s novels, Laurence Fox, from the spin-off series Lewis and Elijah Wood, who starred in the 2008 film The Oxford Murders.

The virus has been “absolutely devastating”, said Paphitis, fearing some pubs “won’t reopen, especially the independents”.

Her staff are furloughed and the beer taps disconnected but the pub’s owner, hospitality operator Mitchells & Butlers, has reduced the rent and local authorities gave a £25 000 (about R515 000) grant.

“We’re staying afloat,” she said. Paphitis is desperate to reopen but not until all restrictions are lifted.

Landlord Paul Silcock, of the Gardeners Arms on Plantation Road in the Jericho area of the city, agreed.

“Right now would be so irresponsible, it would be ridiculous,” he said. –

Pubs blamed out of proportion to risk