AN IRISH man walks into a pub ... and decides he wants to turn it into a traditional English boozer!

County Down-born James Knox has taken over the city’s Rosie O’Grady’s, in Park End Street, but has plans to revamp the drinking hole, which has been an Irish bar for about 15 years. He has decided to get rid of all the shamrock leaves and the stereotypical Irish name.

Mr Knox, 39, said: “It’s a cracking site and a great pub with lots of character, but it’s become pretty horrific.

“I could throw a lot of money on it and make it a lively Irish bar again, but I think the days of Irish bars have passed.”

The new landlord, tried to buy Rosie O’Grady’s 11 years ago, but his offer was unsuccessful. Mr Knox, who also runs a security and events business, originally moved to the city to open a branch of O’Neill’s in George Street, where he was at the helm for a year.

Before it was converted into Rosie O’Grady’s by brewery Morrells in 1995, the pub was known as The Queen’s Arms.

Mr Knox said: “We are completely gutting it and starting again, turning it back into a traditional English pub format with real ales and fine wines and a nice range of beers – but no theme.”

He plans to spend £100,000 on refurbishment, half of which will be funded by brewery firm Marston’s.

The plan is to take out false walls, sand down the oak floors and give the place a lick of paint. Work is due to start in April and expected to take four to six weeks.

Mr Knox, who plays rugby for Oxford Harlequins and Oxford RFC, is hoping the pub will become a favourite for rugby fans and is planning to show matches in the sports bar.

Mr Knox, who lives in Temple Cowley with his wife and two children, is still looking for a new name for the pub and said after speaking to friends and family he was yet to find the right title — and move away from the pub’s Irish links. Ideas should be sent to rosieogradys@hotmail.com But the Ulsterman is planning to have one last Irish hurrah for St Patrick’s Day, on Tuesday – complete with Irish bands, Guinness, and Emerald Isle ‘craic’.

Matt Bullock, chairman of the Oxford branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, welcomed the change and agreed that Irish pubs seemed to have had their day.

He said: “It’s nice to see someone spending money on their pub.”

fbardsley@oxfordmail.co.uk