A FLAVOUR of the East came to West Oxford yesterday as a new restaurant opened in a former pub.

The One, in Botley Road, has been closed for about a year while the new owners made structural alterations to the building.

New landlord Raymond Chu is the third person to try to make the Punch Taverns owned property, formerly known as the White House, profitable during the past four years.

At the grand opening, visitors were treated to traditional Chinese dragon dancing, fireworks, music and a buffet.

Mr Chu, who also runs Paddyfields in Hythe Bridge Street, joked he had opened the restaurant to keep his sister, Candy Chu, in the city.

He said: “It has taken us about a year to get this open, but we wanted to get it completely ready for everyone.

“We have had lots of interest from people passing by saying they want to come as soon as it opens. There is a big community we want to appeal to.”

The restaurant will start trading tomorrow.