A pregnant pause before labour starts - new Chester Arms owner Drew Brammer talks about taking over the pub

When you take over a pub, there is only one question on everyone’s lips, OK well two – how’s it going? and the dreaded – when will you open? You get asked this everywhere you go, walking the dog, taking the bus, enjoying romantic moments, and sometimes even over the urinal in another publican’s domain. Well, now people have another question, as I’m proud to say that I’m also going to be a father for the first time (early April, I know you wanted to ask).

Sadly pubs are not like babies, with a set pregnancy and due date, sadly pubs and their buildings are also not governed by a millennia old natural process – they are governed by the planning department of the council, the person that owns the freehold of our pub (The Chester Arms off Iffley Road), and building contractors. We are now (or is that still) waiting, for the building contractors to start and get our kitchen and toilets built. Our side of the pub is looking fab, with paint going on the walls, light fittings sat around in boxes simply waiting to go up and tiles being cut behind me as I type. But, we still need our kitchen and WC’s to open. Once they start it’s eight weeks – eight weeks, and it’ll all be over – or is that just beginning...

Pubs and babies, not all that different.

During this time we’ve not been just painting, we’ve been doing some fun things as well, I personally have tried 32 local ales and even some wines, it’s been hard work but someone had to do it. We’ve also been talking with local produce suppliers and tasting our way through our summer menu and in an abnormaly organised fashion we have some menus planned for the first six months of opening.

Still, I know you want to ask the question — when’s it due? Well I would say mid-May.

Follow the progress in pictures at www.facebook.com/thechesteroxford

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The Chester is at 19 Chester Street, Oxford, OX4 1SN. Call 01865 243203