OXFORDSHIRE faces a fight for the future of its traditional British pubs after it emerged one closes every 28 days, say campaigners.

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) fears 15 per cent of pubs in the county could call final last orders within 10 years after 13 more pubs closed in the past year.

The Oxford Mail reported pubs had been shutting at a similar rate a year ago and the decline shows no sign of slowing down.

There are now estimated to be 797 pubs in Oxfordshire after the loss of 68 in the past five years.

The warning comes as South Hinksey faces being without a pub for the first time in 170 years after owners Vale Brewery submitted a planning application to convert the General Elliot into a house. The venue was CAMRA’s pub of the year for Oxford in 2007 and 2008.

Meanwhile, more than 70 villagers staged a sit-in at the Gardiner Arms’ beer garden in Tackley on Saturday night to show how much they value their local after it closed 10 days ago.

CAMRA members fear dozens more landlords are on the brink, with increased taxes on alcohol, the smoking ban and cheap supermarket booze leading more people to drink at home.

Oxford branch pubs officer Tony Goulding said: “The future of the traditional British pub is definitely under threat and we will have to fight for its future.

“Over the next 10 years I think we could lose 15 per cent of our pubs in the county.

“Oxfordshire has fared better than some areas during the recession, but there are a lot of pubs out there not making the profit required by an accountant for it to carry on long-term. The battle has been won for real ale... but the battle is now on for real pubs.”

Since the General Elliott closed in December 2008 South Hinksey residents have been running a mock pub scheme with a villager opening their house on a Friday evening for a get together.

The nights have regularly attracted 40 villagers.

Matthew Frohn, who lives opposite the General Elliot in Manor Road, said: “Residents are up in arms at the proposal to turn their only pub into residential property. For a village that once had two pubs to never have a pub again is tragic and will leave the village without a heartbeat.”

A planning application by the Vale Brewery to extend the pub adding nine guest bedrooms was not supported by South Hinksey parish council and was turned down by Vale of White Horse District Council in January.

However, residents said they were baffled by the decision after planning permission was granted for a 36-space car park for the pub in August 2007.

A planning report in March recommended the pub be converted into a house and stated the General Elliot was not an important community facility.

Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood said: “I worry the village doesn’t have a shop or a post office and this pub was the community hub.”

Phillip Stevens, co-owner of Vale Brewery, said: “We’ve spent a considerable amount of time and resources on the General Elliot following years of neglect.

“It was disappointing parish councillors and residents didn’t fully support our application to develop a non-viable public house into something with a future.”

A decision is expected next month.

Tackley residents staged their garden sit-in after the landlord of the Gardiner Arms in Medcroft Road moved out four days ago.

Villagers, who used to have two pubs, are now hopeful of a happy ending after it emerged a new licensee is planning to reopen the premises soon. Judy Mair, 70, who has lived in Tackley for 35 years, said: “This shows how much we care about the pub.”

  • A POPULAR Kennington pub – the last in the village – will reopen next month after a major facelift.

The Tandem closed last week for a complete refurbishment of the bar, restaurant and kitchen.

The pub, part of Greene King’s Hungry Horse chain, will reopen on June 10.

New landlord Dave Hancock and wife Nicola arrived at The Tandem three months ago.

He said: “We are looking forward to reopening immensely. It has been long overdue for our customers and for the village itself.”

Although the chain targets diners, Mr Hancock said pub regulars had not been forgotten.

“It’s still the village pub and it has a good number of regular drinkers,” he said.

The refurbishment will include a new dining area, including family booths with televisions.

David Stallard, business development manager for the Hungry Horse chain, could not reveal the exact cost of the improvements but said it was a “substantial” investment.

He said: “We are maintaining an over 18s bar area and we know this is important. Villagers can rest assured they will still have their local.”

The pub is one of eight Hungry Horse pubs in Oxfordshire.

Kennington Parish councillor Brian Baggott said: “The refurbishment cannot be anything but good for the village.

“Once it’s complete there will be more people going in there.

“Obviously, it’s the only pub in the village as The Scholar Gypsy closed about 10 years ago. So the pub is very, very important to the village and is one of the main social meeting points.”