A SUCCESSFUL brewery is planning to open its first pub in an old charity shop.

One of a growing phenomenon known as 'micropubs', Oxbrew will open the new venture in Witney on August 18.

The brewers, already well known for their award-winning beer, have gutted the shop in Langdale Court completely and installed a cold room, kitchen and new furniture.

Oxford Mail:

Transformed: The unit used to house a Sobell House charity shop raising money for the Oxford hospice.

Oxfordshire already has two micropubs in Banbury and one in Wallingford.

The concept allows a small company to experiment while keeping costs lower than if they took on the running of a traditional pub.

Oxbrew's Simon Scamp, a sign-maker, came across the concept when he was commissioned to make the sign for a microbrewery in Kent.

He said: "We have done a lot of festivals and outdoor events and now we wanted to set a permanent base.

"We could have taken on a pub but this gives us the freedom to put our own mark on a place and we've designed it from scratch.

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"It's a different way of doing it - we are completely independent and can do whatever we like."

The pub, which can seat 30 inside and has a front courtyard, will be open from midday and has a late licence.

Mr Scamp will run it alongside his step-son Aaron Baldwin, promising to cater for audiences, young and old.

It will eventually serve food but at first the duo will focus on the drinks offering, with Oxbrew's own beer on offer and those from their friends at other breweries.