Oxfordshire village reopening welcomed by community
The Crown in Packhorse Lane closed last summer and reopened on Thursday after it was bought by Oak Taverns.
A community bid to take over the pub did not go ahead and Oak Taverns bought it with managers Ricky Dawe and his fiancee Laura Goodwin looking after customers.
Mr Dawe said: “It’s been absolutely brilliant since we opened – everything has been running very smoothly.
“And we have been thanked a couple of thousand times for reopening – people in the village seem so happy it’s like they were longing for it.
“People can take their dogs for a walk and come and have a pint on the way back. They have been without their pub for 18 months and really missed it.”
Mr Dawe said the first week has been busy with various groups calling in, including men’s groups and local Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) members.
While Oak Taverns is supplying its own beers, guest ales are available too including those made by Abingdon microbrewery Loose Cannon.
“We are going to try Abingdon Bridge after Gunners Gold and keeping changings things around,” Mr Dawe added.
The pub is opening seven days a week and the opening hours could be adjusted depending on the demand.
At the moment the pub is open Monday to Thursday from 3pm to 11pm, Friday and Saturday, noon to midnight, and Sunday noon to 10.30pm.
The Crown has reopened following extensive refurbishment and is now serving a range of craft ales and ciders, wines, spirits and soft drinks.
Operator Oak Taverns has said there won’t be pool or darts fixtures as staff want to encourage as wide a clientele as possible.
Customers who have already been in have posted positive reviews on the pub’s Facebook page.
One punter Alison Spooner said: “It’s a lovely pub, great atmosphere and the service is great. Thank you Laura & Ricky.
“Launch night was wonderful and very well supported by the village. So proud to call it our local.”
Another Mark O’Hara said: “Was in Saturday and Sunday – what a lovely local to have now, they are both so welcoming.
“We only moved to the village from Abingdon in December and this is the icing on the cake – a great village with a wonderful pub now.”
Customer Jacqueline Wood added: “Lovely atmosphere and a very friendly couple.
“The pizzas looked very nice as well.”
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