DRINKERS could soon be enjoying a pint by the river at a popular Abingdon pub after a deal was struck to reopen it.

The Nags Head at Abingdon Bridge will open later this year after a ‘substantial investment’ by a newly appointed landlord.

The historic pub was boarded up in January last year after then general manager Tracy Smith blamed high rents and poor winter trading conditions.

But the watering hole, which overlooks the River Thames, has always been popular in hot weather.

Johanne Green, spokesman for the Oxford branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, said she hoped it would reopen for the summer.

She said: “It is wonderful news if it opens as a pub again. It is just what Abingdon needs.

“Even if it does not have real ales it’s still fantastic.”

Scott Frankham, a spokes-man for Spirit pub company, which owns The Nags Head, said the firm had decided to sublet the former Punch Taverns pub to a ‘local operator’ who would invest in the site.

He said: “We expect the arrangement to be finalised over the coming months and, following a substantial investment, we would hope to see the pub opened later in the year.

“The opening date depends on the legal agreements and renovation logistics.

“We would hope to be open as soon as possible.”

The pub first opened in 1856.

Steve Hipgrave, landlord at the Kings Head and Bell in East St Helen’s Street, said Foundation Inns – which own his pub – had looked into subletting The Nags Head, but the repair bill would have run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.

But he said: “As a resident of Abingdon I am desperate for it to be open.

“It’s in an ideal spot.”

Sandy Lovatt, Abingdon Town Council leader, said: “It has never been a very good advert – as you come into the town the first thing you see is a shut-down pub.

“But I am delighted someone is taking the risk and showing confidence in Abingdon in opening it up.”

He added: “The next big question for Abingdon is how we make the river frontage an integral part of what the town has to offer.”